September 11, 2012 Never Forget

9-11-12

Hudson and John Henry,

By the time you are both grown up, September 11th, I fear, will be a part of this country's distant past. Something you study at school, as Pearl Harbor is for me. Something that won't directly affect you. You both need to know that this day changed my life and this country's life forever. It was horrible, terrifying and traumatizing for all Americans. A day we will never forget. A day we were all ONE. No one was black, white, Asian, Latino, Republican or Democrat. We were all Americans. I remember exactly where I was. I was living in Scottsdale, Arizona and it was very early in the morning with the time change. I remember the phone ringing and ringing. I didn't answer it the first few times because it was early. I finally answered and it was Aunt Stephie. She frantically asked if I was watching the news. I couldn't believe my eyes when I turned the television on. I saw the beloved twin towers crumbling and I thought I was watching a Hollywood movie, not a real event. My heart fell. I couldn't believe my own eyes. I drove all the way to Oklahoma City the next day- 16 hours. I just wanted to see my Mamma and my family. That's how frightened and upset I was - we all were. We were fragile and shocked and we all felt vulnerable to these evil people who had no names or faces- just Al Qaeda- that's all we kept hearing. We were all scrambling - trying to figure out how strongest nation in the world got attacked. We were horrified and we all wanted them to pay for what they had done to us, to our dear country, and to our fellow Americans. Why did this unnecessary evil happen?

One of my very best friends, Amy Rice, lost her brother, David, on 9/11. He was in one of the twin towers. Amy and I grew up together in OKC. We went to the same grade school and high school. Her family was absolutely torn up. A nightmare for any family. When I think of David in the tower, I lose my breath. 9/11 is a very difficult day for Amy every year. This year, I went to the city to see her and have dinner with her, which I know was special for her and it was beyond special for me. I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else that night. We had a drink in front of David's tree. Last year, Amy and her family pulled a lot strings to have this tree planted for David in the West Village across the street from Amy's apartment. Amy just ordered a plaque for it. She says that she walks by it everyday and it gives her a sense of peace. I saw the tree for the first time and the plaque and tears came to my eyes. God bless your soul David Rice.

Cheers to you David...

9-11-11 NEVER FORGET

9-11-11

Today was September 11th. On this day, America remembers and people shed tears and fears about a day that was tremendously sad for all who lives in this country. We will never forget what happened 9-11-01. We will never forget the lives taken, the sadness, and the fear. Daddy and I watched a lot about it all day and a 9-11 special tonight. It tore me up. It gives me shivers down my spine, my stomach starts to hurt and tears roll down my eyes watching the coverage - even 10 years later. I know Daddy was feeling the same way. Watching those buildings crumble in lower Manhattan is tortuous to this day. Mommy lived in downtown, in TriBeCa, a few blocks from Ground Zero for many years, however, I moved to NYC in 2002, a year after 9-11. But every time I walked by Ground Zero, it mad me terribly sad to think that those powerful twin towers once stood where a hole now was. I tried to imagine what the sky line looked like with the twin towers shooting out towards the sky. Why did this happen? It is still so hard to process. I remember where I was the morning it happened. I remember driving home from Arizona for 15 hours the next day because I wanted to see Siti and hug her and be with her. Siti and I laid in bed for 2 hours in shocked disbelief and fear, doing nothing but watching the news coverage.

I cannot imagine the mental anguish that families who lost loved ones go through on a daily basis. God Bless America, God bless New York City, God bless the souls who lost their lives, and God Bless those families who lost loved ones on that tragic day.

I was watching some of the coverage in the morning and you kept asking me, "Why are those people sad Mamma?" I said because they got a big boo boo. You asked how. I told you that they were hurt in a building fire. So, we decided to draw a picture for Amy. I told you that her brother was hurt. Amy Rice is one of mommy's dearest friends. I have known her since grade school. Her brother died on 9-11. God bless Amy and her family.

I love you my love,
Mamma




“Remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall -- think of it, ALWAYS.” - Mahatma Ghandi