Mimi Remembers (Or One-More-Reason-You-Should-Get-A-Peace-Globe)
Although terrorism is not the only devilish worry in the world today, it is good to be reminded of the reasons our hearts are sometimes stirred to action. This was a day we'd rather forget but the memory of those we lost still cry for peace. Read on. The comments left on the post were inspiring.
(I will be making posts throughout the day and night. Please scroll through this blog for up-to-the-mimi information on the progress of the Peace Globes. Don't forget to view the gallery. I just heard from Frank in Canada and he is up to something! Oh....the suspense.)
Reposted from 9/11/06: Mimi Remembers 9/11
Much conversation on the web today is dedicated to memmoralizing the September 11th five year mark of the terrorists attacks on American soil. I know Septembers, for me, will never be the same.
I thought it might be interesting to invite readers this weekend to share their thoughts and experiences about that day. I recently unearthed a journal entry in my diary written September 10, 2001.
I was in the midst of a painful personal life-altering divorce and feeling philosophically Mimi-like. Little did I know that a few hours later, none of the problems I thought I had would even measure a speck of consideration for quite some time. It was not a time to take leave of one's family.
Even though my children were grown and on their own I found particular comfort in my familiar surroundings. Home. My corner of the world. Safe and secure and unharmed by violence. My garden. My books. My things. All reasons to take stock of what I was grateful for and why.
There are images that strike me now as profound and earth-shattering in their own way to my psyche and spirit. Here are a few of my memories. I invite you to do the same.
A phone call from my son, "Mom, people are jumping from buildings." Something about the way he said my name that day made me want to forever scoop him up and protect him from such visions. I called or emailed everyone I knew who meant anything to me to make sure they knew I loved them.Not such a bad idea today, September 9, 2006, either.
Sitting with my then-husband and openly sobbing as we watched the evening news in silence. Suddenly, who gets to keep the SUV didn't matter.
Watching the second plane hit in real-time broadcasts and the Towers fall. Every night for six weeks I had nightmares about flying planes.
Sitting with a colleague at work and watching the early reports. I remember the feeling of helplessness. "There's nothing we can do. Somebody please help those people."
"All we can do is pray" he said.And so we did. Out loud and unashamed and unaware of denomination. To me, my friend became the-person-I-was-with-when-it-happened and to this day I still remember the power I felt in the room on that morning. Just as we finished, a co-worker across the hall walked in to see what was wrong. He heard us say "The Pentagon has just been hit."
"My son is in Washington." he said. "He's a runner at the Pentagon."
He left to make a phone call. More praying in room 18.
Patriotism. Who cared what Party you belonged to. I often say "I became an American that day." My only regret is that up until that horrible morning I had little understanding of what that meant.
Silences. People wore unspoken pain like a garment.
No chattering at the post office. No small talk at the grocery store. What kind of evil could silence a nation's soul?
I remember the sound of no music on the radio for days.
The sky. It was a picture perfect day.
Reposted from 9/11/06: Mimi Remembers 9/11
Much conversation on the web today is dedicated to memmoralizing the September 11th five year mark of the terrorists attacks on American soil. I know Septembers, for me, will never be the same.
I thought it might be interesting to invite readers this weekend to share their thoughts and experiences about that day. I recently unearthed a journal entry in my diary written September 10, 2001.
I was in the midst of a painful personal life-altering divorce and feeling philosophically Mimi-like. Little did I know that a few hours later, none of the problems I thought I had would even measure a speck of consideration for quite some time. It was not a time to take leave of one's family.
Even though my children were grown and on their own I found particular comfort in my familiar surroundings. Home. My corner of the world. Safe and secure and unharmed by violence. My garden. My books. My things. All reasons to take stock of what I was grateful for and why.
There are images that strike me now as profound and earth-shattering in their own way to my psyche and spirit. Here are a few of my memories. I invite you to do the same.
A phone call from my son, "Mom, people are jumping from buildings." Something about the way he said my name that day made me want to forever scoop him up and protect him from such visions. I called or emailed everyone I knew who meant anything to me to make sure they knew I loved them.Not such a bad idea today, September 9, 2006, either.
Sitting with my then-husband and openly sobbing as we watched the evening news in silence. Suddenly, who gets to keep the SUV didn't matter.
Watching the second plane hit in real-time broadcasts and the Towers fall. Every night for six weeks I had nightmares about flying planes.
Sitting with a colleague at work and watching the early reports. I remember the feeling of helplessness. "There's nothing we can do. Somebody please help those people."
"All we can do is pray" he said.And so we did. Out loud and unashamed and unaware of denomination. To me, my friend became the-person-I-was-with-when-it-happened and to this day I still remember the power I felt in the room on that morning. Just as we finished, a co-worker across the hall walked in to see what was wrong. He heard us say "The Pentagon has just been hit."
"My son is in Washington." he said. "He's a runner at the Pentagon."
He left to make a phone call. More praying in room 18.
Patriotism. Who cared what Party you belonged to. I often say "I became an American that day." My only regret is that up until that horrible morning I had little understanding of what that meant.
Silences. People wore unspoken pain like a garment.
No chattering at the post office. No small talk at the grocery store. What kind of evil could silence a nation's soul?
I remember the sound of no music on the radio for days.
The sky. It was a picture perfect day.
My one-time comfortable corner of the universe has changed - peacefully so - and we have all happily moved on, making new memories on new soil. September 11 didn't change my ultimate direction but it did alter the way I moved in it.Today, I am more politically aware, unfortunately resolved to
disastrous uncertainties in the world around me and more than ever willing to
run headlong into a very precious span of time called my life.
After 9/11 I heard stories of people mending fences. We all witnessed ordinary people do extraordinary things. Those who had nothing to offer people in need gave all they had anyway. Collectively.We were caught in a time warp of kindness for awhile.
When the anger came later, as it did for me - as well as a newfound surge into patriotism - as it did for many people of varying political opinions, it was fueled with a stark understanding of how precariously we walk.
I, for one, do not intend to sleepwalk.
I think we are better prepared to face and debate opposing views today because we're better informed by necessity. There was a certain universal passion that dropped in our laps that day for the things in our lives that really matter. I have found ways to celebrate our differences and probe deeper into what is going on in other parts of the world - with new friends I've found here as well - who offer contrasting viewpoints and strength of conviction for issues in their part of the globe.
For that I am grateful. What were YOU doing on September 11, 2001? We'd all love to hear your stories.
And now, if you'll excuse me, I have some phone calls to make.
NOTE: IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO PARTICIPATE IN BLOGBLAST FOR PEACE. CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED.
1 comment:
Mimi..The first I heard of the attack was from a supervisor at the very, very private school that I happened to be working at, at that time. We went immediately into lockdown mode as this school is a private boarding school with children of the very wealthy, and top political families from all over the world.. All the TV's and radios were turned off, except in the main office, so what info I got was what was passed on, and of course the cell phone calls trying to keep me up to date until I was able to leave the school, once we knew the situation was safe for the students. I remember the fear that I felt first for my family..wondering if this was more widespread as I wasn't able to get a clear picture for a few hours. Then the next was horror, absolute disbelief, sorrow and yes fear that this world has gotten to this point, such hate and vicious unnecessary violence. esp to these innocent people just going about their daily routines. The students were informed of the situation and a few were picked up by security and taken home. Sadly a few students lost their fathers, who had companies located in the WTC towers. We later held memorials for them and their families, so very , very sad. I will never forget how I felt when I returned home that evening hugging my family and feeling so very lucky to be all together and safe and alive...my heart will always feel sorrow for all those who lost their lives and all the familes that keep on going. That is why the Peace Globe movement is so very, very important...thanks Mimi for getting this out there and I am sure that we all will have an impact, maybe not what we hope for this year but each year it will get bigger and bigger until hopefully we won't need it at all, won't that be amazing!!..take care ..m
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