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 11th.
My eyes tear as I think back to where I was 14 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 58th street and 5th 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 11th 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 11th 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.
