Remembering 9/11

 

Couldn't let September end without writing and paying tribute to all those who lost their lives 24 years ago. It still feels gut wrenching as it did when it happened. I feel as if it happened yesterday. I know, it's crazy to think that but every September I am reminded of it constantly. Especially since it's my birthday month. I can't help but to think of all those people who lost their lives and yet I get to celebrate another year of living. Anyway, I digress...

This year we decided to take the ferry into the city to see the tribute lights and it was a beautiful sight to see from the Hudson. I love this city and it will forever be my favorite. 

Remembering 9/11

Here we are on the last day of September and want to close the month with a little post in regards to 9/11. 23 years later and it's still gut wrenching to see these tribute lights. We have been going every year since moving to Jersey and every year I become more and more emotional. I blame it on getting older. I blame it on living so close to the city and how life is indeed very short-especially these days. It's bittersweet looking forward to this day as it falls on my birthday month. Paying tribute to those who lost their lives is my priority when the month begins. Sure I look forward to my special day and in doing fun things but what I love the most is remembering. Remembering 9/11 with my family. Remembering the first time I fell in love with New York city when we went for the first time in the year 2000. Remembering the first time we entered those twin towers with my then little family of four. Remembering all those who lost their lives and although it is painful for thousands of families it is also beautiful knowing that they will never be forgotten with these tribute lights. Even in death- this world can truly be beautiful if we view like that. So let us never forget and always remember this day and to continue to teach our posterity all about what happened in one of our favorite cites back on September 11, 2001. 

9/11 Tribute Lights & The Empty Sky Memorial.

I always find it incredibly moving every time we go to Jersey city and stand on the Hudson waterfront to watch the tribute lights light up on 9/11. We normally go to the city and stay in the financial district to go to the freedom tower but for the past couple of years we have been going to the Empty sky memorial where they honor those from NY/NY who lost their lives in the towers. Such a beautiful tribute and memorial and coming here never gets old. NYC on September 11th or any other given day never gets old. We are so grateful to live in a place where we are so close to drive to the city and pay our respects to those whose lives were lost. Such a special place to go and feel their spirit. It's truly amazing and the feeling I felt while standing against the rail overlooking the Hudson River staring at the lights pretending the twin towers were still standing brings back so many memories. Happy ones. Even when it rains that doesn't stop anyone from going to pay their respects to remember. 

This is the second year in a row where it has rained and the rain this year formed two lovely rainbows earlier that evening. I know that those twin rainbows were a sign from the souls letting us know that they are at peace and thankful that for the last 22 years, we have not forgotten them. 

9/11 Remembered.

 

Such a powerful mural by Kobra street art which is located in New York city. 19 years later and this day will always be remembered. We will never forget the 343 brave firefighters who sacrificed their lives on September 11. This day changed countless families, our nation, and the course of history forever. We must stand with those who have secured our freedoms at home and abroad. To love God and one another. And continually pray for our leaders of this nation. 

This mural is painted in honor of our firefighters and it was a very teachable moment for Noah. Although he knows what happened in 2001years before he was born it's a great reminder for me as well to remember and never forget what happened here. God bless the 343 firefighters and their families. 

Never Forget 9/11.

Since we moved closer to New York and as the kids and I continue to grow older I can't help but to praise  and appreciate this city so much. I can't get enough of it. How grateful I am to live so close where there is so much to grow, and learn from. This city has so much to offer which is why we constantly come here. There is a unique energy that comes from the city that automatically is instilled in your heart.

Remembering 9/11/2001.

September for me is filled with many things to look forward to. Birthdays of friends, and family including my own. School starting, tennis matches, and 9/11. 9/11 is something I wish never happened, but do look forward to in some weird way because it gives me a chance to reflect on those who lost their lives. It helps me to teach my kids about human kindness, remembrance, and no matter what to always pay respects to those who have passed on. And to also pray for those who caused such a tragedy. 

So today I couldn't let this day go by without writing down a few words to remember those who lost loved ones 15 years ago. It's seems as if this travesty happened yesterday. With all the turmoil that still goes on in the world today it's nice to know that we remember those who lost their lives with a positive attitude, and by their loved ones remembering them in a special way for all the goodness that they brought into the world. 

A couple of weeks ago when the kids and I visited the Grounds for Sculpture, and arts museum we came upon this sculpture that was made specifically for the victims, and their families of 9/11. As we looked closely at the sculpture my heart grew sadder. Like many of the sculptures in this museum it was so detailed, and looked so real. The flowers, the hard hats, the water hose, and random things they found in the rubble looked all too real. Even the dried up flowers. 

And it truly felt as if we were there. 

Lexie who was standing behind us had such a long face. I mean, she was just a baby when this happened, but by learning about it at school throughout the years, and by us talking to her about it at home has made her realize that this certainly was truly a catastrophic event. She didn't want to be in the photo and I respected that so as Noah and Chelsea were taking a closer glimpse at the sculpture I captured this moment. I could see the sadness in their faces, and even though Noah is six he sensed that there was a sad story behind the art sculpture. Once again, I explained to him why every year a couple of weeks before my birthday, we go to different locations where they have a memorial for those who lost their lives to the "bad guys", and when this day comes we sit quietly for a few minutes, and give our respects to those who lost their lives that year. I reiterate about how these people just came flying in on a plane crashing through these tall buildings killing many, many people, and how another plane crashed near the white house, and another crashing in Pennsylvania which is close to where we live. He frowned a lot as I was telling him this story again, and after a while remembered what 9/11 was all about. He'll then mention "oh, you mean the bad guys who flew into new york and crashed the buildings where we only have one building now (which is the freedom tower) and a lot of people died." He's a smart kid, and eventually will know what it truly is all about with raw emotion on his own motive. 

The older my children, and I get I have learned that no matter what devastation occurs within our country, and other countries I'm grateful to be living such a wonderful life with great humans. I'm thankful for my family, and to be living in a country where forgiveness can be granted, where families reunite, where bad days can lead to better ones, where I can be "free", and proud to be a citizen of the U.S.A., but most of all for a God who stands under this nation, watching and guiding over us. 

When you look at it this way, no matter what happens in our day to day, we truly live in a beautiful world. It's a choice. A choice that may be hard to make for some, especially with all the negativity that goes on in the world. But I know, that if try hard enough, and pray hard enough, we only need to remember the good in everything. 

WE SHALL NEVER FORGET: 14 YEARS LATER.

September tends to be both a happy, and somber month for me. Happy, because it's my birthday month, and because it's the beginning of fall to come. Somber because on this day 14 years ago at least 3000 people lost their lives. 

Memories of the day I heard that two planes crashed into the twin towers, as well as two others crashing towards the pentagon, and in Pennsylvania still haunts me. I can never forget what happened, and even more so when my family and I drive into the city. The first thing we see while crossing the bridge is a huge, tall, beautiful building as shiny, and clean as the eye can see. And every time we cross that bridge Chelsea will always mention how the freedom tower used to be the twin towers. She was about eight when she began this "ritual", and till this day it never fails that as soon we see the skyline from the Pulaski highway she will mention the twin towers, and how many people lost their lives that day. And Noah will utter the words "I see new york, I see New york!" It never gets old, and it makes me so grateful that our kids are being educated at school in regards to this day. 

We as parents have educated all of our children about what happened on this day as well as learning to love, and living each day as if there was no tomorrow. I want them to love hard, and accept everyone no matter who they are. To respect each other, their peers, teachers, but most of themselves. To laugh and to not take things personally. To never let the little things bother them, to always be kind to everyone no matter how different they may be, and to just focus on the precious moments that bring them joy. But most of all...to never take anything or anyone for granted. Not school, not friends, not their family, not God, but most of all life. 

I tell ya...when you get older, and your youngest is off to school and you're no longer raising babies your life slowly changes. At least it is for me. And because of that I want to live my life each day as if it's my last. To strive every second of every day to overall be a kind, and loving person not only to others, but most of all to my family. 

When we went to the memorial earlier today in Pennsauken I immediately felt the spirit as I walked towards the huge granite with the words "we shall never forget" with all the times the planes crashed engraved on it. It still seems surreal, and to see 2,997 American flags displayed throughout the memorial was very humbling. One for each life that was lost. It is so nice to see the people of this community to volunteer and help put up all these flags since 2003.

 I snapped a few shots of the memorial, and what a simple, and beautiful memorial it is... 

 

So many lost loved ones on this day, and I can't even imagine what they go through year after year as they all gather around the memorial in the city to remember. I even heard on NPR news this morning how every year the crowds get smaller and smaller, but there is one 81 year old man whose son lost his life in the north tower, and how he has continued to gather where the bells toll for the past 14 years to remember his son. He also mentioned that he will continue to attend the memorial every year as long as he's breathing. Such amazing stories of strength, and perseverance. 

So That My Children Will Always Remember...

13 years have passed since the twin towers were hit, and there is not one day where I don't think of those who lost their lives on that day. Living less than two hours away from NYC away gives me many an opportunity to venture out to the city I love. Whether we're on foot, or driving past where the twin towers once stood which is now the Freedom tower, helps me to always remember and to never forget. The fact that I was out west 2000 miles away nestled in the comforts of Jon's grandpas house in Washington state when the attacks occurred was surreal. I couldn't believe it because just the year before it happened we had visited New York City for the first time.

It was the year 2000. 

Two out of my four children were already born when 9/11 happened. Sierra was five, and Lexie was only seven months old. Granted Lexie doesn't remember anything because she was a baby when we first explored new york, but Sierra does remember getting lost inside the Empire State Building with Dad. This is when I thank my lucky stars for owning a camera, and scrapbooking pictures. Standing inside the twin towers, and doing some window shopping inside the mall is something we will never forget the first time we ventured into the city.

Now my nine year old is learning about 9/11 at school, and slowly but surely I'm showing Noah footage of the first tower that got hit by a plane in New York and how I'm explaining to him that bad people were flying the plane  and crashed into it. He's still little, and doesn't quite comprehend as to why it was hit except that he thinks its a movie. When he saw the first plane crash he said,"the plane hit the building mom!" And soon he will be reading it in history books.  

All morning long I couldn't help but to tune into NPR news to hear somber stories from the ones who lost a loved one on that day. I was listening to it as I drove my husband to work, and I continued to listen to it when I arrived home. It was so interesting to hear the survivors perspective of that day, and to hear so many heartwarming stories being said from survivors of those that lost their lives. They were talking about how much that person meant to them, and there was a moment when two spouses were on the air recalling of that day, and how they both spoke with their loved one on the day knowing that they were not going to survive being stuck on the 105th floor with fumes surrounding the office. It was heartbreaking to hear, and that's when the tears began to stream down my face. Knowing that it was the last time they would hear their voice.

I can't even imagine the horror everyone faced on that day getting phone calls from a loved one to standing outside in the midst of it all literally watching the towers crumble to the ground. To see body after body plunging to their deaths, and from what I read...some of them were holding hands as they jumped. 

Reading the depictions behind these photos proves all too well that on that day strangers became friends, and that the city of New York united as one. 

I have been living in Jersey now a little over six years, and had I been living here the day it happened I know that a part of me would have wanted to drive into the city to see if there was anything I can do along with a side of "freaking out!" Now that I live closer I never want take that city for granted. My family and I love venturing out to the city to take in everything that is magical about it. We love sightseeing, and having seen the Freedom Tower built so high is a thought I cannot even take in. Everytime I drive into the city I keep expecting to see the twin towers from the George Washington bridge. It's something that I've treasured ever since we toured them 14 years ago. I'm not even from here, and didn't have a loved one die on that dreadful day, but my heart is big enough to hold a lot of love for the people of the fallen . 

I heard that at least 15 million people have seen the freedom tower so far in the past four months, and that is amazing! We haven't taken the complete tour, but when we went by it a few weeks ago I didn't feel like taking selfies, or even pictures of the 9/11 Memorial. There's always a good number of people hanging around the grounds of the memorial, and for some reason I just wanted to take in the moment of actually standing on the ground where loved ones fell to their death, and say a prayer for them inside my head. 

After I heard a few stories from survivors, and family members of the fallen I decided to turn off the news, and focus on my son. After hearing the last memories they had of their loved one made me want to look back at the lives of my children, and how quickly they grow up. I was watching this video of Noah when he was a baby, and my  firstborn Sierra growing up through the years. And then I had those disturbing images tucked in my mind of the people falling to their death, and remembering the phone calls everyone was making on United flight 93 before the plane crashed. Knowing that they were all going to die as they each called their loved ones. 

I also learned on this day how quickly someones life can be taken. 

It blows me away to see how people reacted on this horrific day, and how strong the people of New York became as well as the entire nation. I think this is why we always 'remember' by having news coverage every year, and keeping in touch with the ones whose lives were spared. Keeping in contact with those who are strong enough to relive those images, and talk about that fateful day. I love the fact that we post "never forget" because it is too easy to go back to the daily mundane, and eating our lunch as if nothing happened. 

When I finally got myself off of the computer, I went to my son and hugged him so tight. I asked him what he wanted to do today, and of course he wanted to go to the park, and ride his scooter. I obliged. Raindrops began descending pretty quick, and then we made it back to the house, and went back out again after they dispersed. We decided to drive to a nearby lake so that he could feed the ducks, and enjoy the scenery. That didn't last very long because Noah decided to grab a few rocks and throw them into the water. Then it hit me. He's only little once, and since there is no one around I'm going to let him be a boy, and have him skip some rocks into the lake. I was smiling, and just let him be a kid. 

He did have fun feeding the ducks though!

I'm enjoying this time with him and I don't want to take anything, or anyone for granted. I want to treat each day as if it's going to go on and on. I want to cherish my everlasting moments with this little guy. 

It's unfortunate that such a disaster had to occur in order for America to unite and become as one. I pray that we will not go through this again, but we never know. And that's why we need to prepare just in case. Prepare to love,  and in having compassion so that we will know how to handle such a catastrophic event. 

My love for New York City and Washington D.C. have grown ever since moving to Jersey. My kids love it, and as many times as we've gone there it never gets old. In spite of all that has happened since 9/11 our thoughts when we drive past the Freedom Tower, and walking the streets of New york seeing smiles on occasion, and a "what a cute little boy" compliment said by a stranger as we roam Central Park gives me hope that this city will always remember, and never lose focus on the reasons why we do so...and that it'll last a lifetime. 

the day new york changed.

picture via

So many memories come to my mind on this day, but the first one that pops up is the morning that we were in Ilwaco, Washington visiting Jon's grandparents. The loud sound of the television in the background woke us up. I could hear wailing within the walls of the television set, and as Jon and I walked into the living room all I saw was this vision.

The sight of a plane crashing into the World Trade Center over and over again. I was in shock, and I couldn't believe it. The fact that we toured NYC including the twin towers the year before was surreal, and I was in tears. 

I didn't want to believe it. What happened? Is this for real? Did the pilot lose control? Was it an accident? Those were the scenarios that I wish were the result of the plane crashing into the twin towers. Unfortunately it wasn't. It was then that we got news through the crackling voice of the newscaster that it was indeed a terrorist attack. This was the day in which every New Yorker will never forget. 

And.

That was the day I vowed myself to never take anything or anyone for granted.

12 years have passed since the attacks, and I have to admit that even though I feel as if I stay in touch with my loved ones I can do better. Not to be a pessimist or anything, but we never know when it is our time to go. We never know what our day is going to bring, or be like when we wake up...if we wake up at all.

We never know what will happen as we walk to our car, and leave the driveway to drive on the road with others who may not mind the laws. Or go to the park, the bank or grocery store. Or even send our kids to school.

As we travel we never know how traffic on the roads may be, or if our flight is going to be safe. One thing I know for sure is to be aware, and have faith in all that we do. To always have love, and have compassion in our hearts for our loved ones. To be mindful of every individual who walks our path. To always hug, and kiss our children. To never miss an opportunity to say "I love you", give hugs, blow kisses, and give a smile.

So from this day on in the 12th year of the attacks let us always remember those who lost their lives, and the families of those who will never forget. Let us uplift one another, and bring more brightness into the world we are living in.

God knows we need a lot of that right now.

Never forget.

It's hard to believe that yesterday marked the first anniversary of the death of my mom's best friend, and true love. Although he didn't get the chance to meet Noah I know that he is watching over all of our children from heaven, and guiding us with his love. 

And the same goes with all of those who lost their lives on this day...9/11. 

September will always remind me of all those loved ones who passed away beyond their years. Some just a tiny little baby. I'm grateful for the plan of salvation, and for the opportunity that we all have to be able to live with our families forever. 

As I was reading a nostalgic People magazine (that I saved for the past 11 years which was published on my birthday) it literally gave me goosebumps. Knowing that I had just visited New York City for the first time with my family a year before was shocking, and I didn't want to believe that the city I fell in love with for the first time was attacked by terrorists. 

Reading all the devastating details of that day of infamy, and how it shook the entire state of New York as well as America was surreal. It opened my eyes even more knowing that we never know what our day will be like, and why I never want to take any of my friends or family members for granted. 

I never want to think the unthinkable, but you never know. I still give those hugs and kisses to all our children, and to my better half before they leave. I still attempt to make those phone calls to family. I still mail letters every now and then, and think of those who may feel that they are alone. I still try to do those small and simple things that may put a smile on a face that I care for.

I continue to pray to my Heavenly father each day, and thank him for waking up to another day of life, and for all the blessings that he has bestowed upon me and my family. 

I continue to pray for all those who lost a loved one on that day and hope that they will have the faith to continue to carry on their legacy of bravery, and courage with strength. 

Each year we will always remember this day, and we will never forget those who have passed on.

God bless everyone, and God continue to bless America.