I sit here in my office going about my daily business of assisting those who need mortgage financing. I glimpse at the right corner of my screen and there it is, the reminder that today is September 11^th. My eyes tear as I think back to where I was 13 years ago on that horrific day of unforeseen unimaginable tragedy. My thoughts are mixed. On one hand I feel a sense of guilt, grateful for my family’s outcome, and on the other hand, I am terribly sad and heartbroken for those families that lost their loved ones - the unbearable loss of heroes and friends on that fateful day.

I remember like it was yesterday. My wife, who was five months pregnant with our first child, was working as an attorney for the New York Department of Housing directly across from City Hall.  I was working from home when the phone rang. “Carl, my building shook what should I do?” My wife was on the phone. “They are telling us to stay.” I responded, “get out of there NOW!” Shortly thereafter, the second tower was hit. My pregnant wife made her way and walked from downtown Broadway to 58^th street and 5^th where my Mother waited for her to take the train to Queens. My wife told me how nice and caring strangers were to her on her walk to safety. Ironically, disasters usually bring out the goodness in New Yorkers.

I don’t ask why this happened because I am just a human being who cannot even fathom a just reason. I can remember this day along with the rest of the world, and mourn the memory of those that we lost way before their time. 

Remembering just does not seem enough. It seems too trite. I believe that the souls of those who left us on that day are looking down at us and waiting for something positive to come from their deaths. I would imagine that they might be wondering why in times of disaster and tragedy, people unify, and are helpful and respectful of one another, and yet, one day goes by and we return to our old ways. How soon we forget.

I asked myself, and now I ask you, how can we show those that we lost that tragic day, that we have learned and changed for the better because of their sacrifice. I would venture to say that we, at the very least, should also have to make some sort of earthly sacrifice. The sacrifice of self. We have to change our behavior and actions and remember and honor those that we lost that day. It sounds easy, but true change for the better is not.

May I make a humble suggestion? In the memory of those that left this earth on that Day of Sept 11^th let us try to:

• Be respectful to one another and our loved ones
• Not judge others
• Make time for friends and family
• Give the benefit of the doubt
• Be inclusive
• Be kind, caring, and courteous and…..

To always remember Sept 11^th as the day that sparked unity and love in NYC, the United States and the peaceful nations of this earth. We honor all those that left us that day. I am hopeful that they are looking down at us with the confidence and optimism that we will do our best to make sure that their souls remain perpetually at peace.