Sep 11, 2009

If not now, when?

Today is September 11th.
No further explanation is needed for any American. September 11th is a day that we all pause and remember the moment that our world changed forever. It has prompted me to examine all that has happened since 2001. As good a time as any to resume Blogging. If not now when?

Wouldn't some of those that lost their lives on that day be happy to have the chance to have their voices heard and not squander the chance to be present in the moment at hand.

Eight years ago, Lucas was not yet in school. He was home with me, in this very room, as he is today. He is home sick today so it feels eerily similar.
Zachary was a Freshman at St. Joseph's High School (as it was known back then).
Regan was a K-4 student at St. Mary's Catholic School in Greenville...
David was in his office safely working for this family, thanks be to God.
Fast Forward 8 years:
Zachary has graduated from High School and Acting School, lived in NYC and is back in Greenville, living on his own, making a living as an educator at the South Carolina Children's Museum.
Regan is in 7th Grade at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic School.
Lucas is in 6th Grade at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic School. Two Middle Schoolers!
Then there is Rosey...she wasn't even born in 2001, so this day has no place in her consciousness. She is in Kindergarten at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic School.
David has come full circle in his career and is back at IBM, the company he began working for out of College in 1983.

All those facts out of the way, the real story is that we are still here. We are still in this happy home with a couple of great life experiences under our belts, Breast Cancer for me, Job Change for David, Birth of Rosey, Graduations from Kindergarten, Elementary School, High School, Stella Adler, Engagement for Zachary to Mackensie, Rosey's Tumor and subsequent removal along with all the follow up that goes with a scare like that, Vacations to the Beach, Charleston,Paris, Disney World, Cruise to the Bahamas, Florida, New York Trips to visit Zachary while he lived there, the purchase of a Mountain get-away as sanctuary for this precious family.

There have been illnesses, fractured family ties, loss of some people that I loved dearly, but we're still here. We are "on this side of the grass" on this day as I look around and offer a prayer of Gratitude and Thanksgiving for having this day to look back and more importantly look forward to all the moments that lie ahead.

This is an anniversary of the heart, we all lost something that day and that must never be forgotten. May those who lost their lives rest in Peace as we remember.