Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Tuesday, September 11, 2018 -- Mattie died 469 weeks ago today. 

Tonight's picture was taken in September of 2008. Our neighbor gave Mattie this special cowboy bear. The bear was hand sewn and had an inscription to Mattie on the white portion of the bear's boot. Literally this bear was as tall as Mattie. Mattie received countless gifts, daily, for over a year. I honestly have no idea where everyone found these amazingly creative and special gifts. But each and every item (big and small) were deeply appreciated by us. Days that we couldn't get Mattie engaged with the world, he was always intrigued to open up a present. 


Quote of the day: If Not Me, Then Who… ~ Travis Manion (1st Lt. Travis Manion, a heroic marine who died in Iraq)

We took this photo today as we drove passed the Pentagon. This big flag comes out every September 11th, and drapes over the part of the building hit by Flight 77. 

It is hard to believe that 17 years ago today, the US experienced the greatest tragedy and loss of human life (on our own soil) in our history. It is a day Peter and I will never forget, as he was working in Northern Virginia and I was home, two months pregnant with Mattie. Peter called me that morning and told me to turn on the TV. I couldn't get over what I was seeing, as it looked more like a movie than real life. I am not sure how the cities most impacted by these terrorists have ever recovered. But like NY, DC rebuilt. 

What continues to capture my attention is the trauma that survivors and family members continue to experience today. Their lives have been forever changed and I honestly can't imagine how they feel as they walk around town in 2018 and see people for the most part carrying on like business as usual. Certainly this is important optics, because the American spirit will not be brought down or controlled by threats and terrorism. But there is a human factor to all of this. The survivors, the families of victims, and first responders who live with their own traumas and are dying from 9/11 related cancers (over 72 cancers to be specific... http://www.911cancervictim.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwz93cBRCrARIsAEFbWsiVkAfnC2ydhBv1U_LWpRKuNglPElybbiZvesS6kAGOooH1Mx4MahkaAvF7EALw_wcB). 

As Sunny and I walked along the DC waterfront, we could see flags hung from at least 5 buildings in Rosslyn, VA. We see the American flag displayed in this fashion twice a year.... September 11th and July 4th. 

For the most part, those I met today seemed totally unaffected by September 11th. I mean by its anniversary. All I know is in 2001, after this nightmare, we saw a different side of people. Not people fighting over ridiculous political nonsense but instead united together. People helping others in extraordinary ways. Which gets to tonight's quote.... If Not Me, Then Who? 

This quote was spoken by 1st Lt. Travis Manion. Lt. Manion was a marine, who served his country with great honor. He died in Iraq under sniper fire, but not before drawing fire away from two wounded teammates. Saving their lives.  

In 2006, Lt. Manion, met a firefighter by the name of Tim Sullivan, at Rescue Company #1 in midtown Manhattan. Mr. Sullivan survived 9/11 and to this day gives the public tours of his firehouse and recounts for them the heroism of his fellow firefighters, first responsers, and every day people performing extraordinary acts to help others. In 2006, a marine visited this firehouse and chatted with Mr. Sullivan. Little did Mr. Sullivan know, but this marine was Lt. Manion. He only found this out after reading a memoir about Lt. Manion. In one of the chapters Lt. Manion mentions that he had the opportunity to meet a 9/11 firefighter. He said after hearing about this firefighter's experiences during 9/11, he was reminded why he continues to serve the USA. Mr. Sullivan immediately knew that Lt. Manion was talking about him. That this brief conversation mattered.

Many people changed jobs after 9/11. Lives were altered and as such so were priorities. I am in no way equating the loss of Mattie, to such a grand scale terrorist attack. But what I do see in terms of a commonality is trauma. The survivors express many of the same signs and feelings that are within Peter and me. Which maybe why we both watch 9/11 documentaries every anniversary, because it is 17 years later and for those personally affected, this tragedy could have happened yesterday. Peter and I get it and we get them. 

The article written by Tim Sullivan reminds me that our lives are intertwined. We aren't always aware of what kind of impact our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors have on others. Yet as in Mr. Sullivan's case, his conversation with Lt. Manion was meaningful and as a result both lives were altered by the other.  

The article about Mr. Sullivan and Lt. Manion:
New York City firefighter: How September 11, a day of tragedy, can be a day of inspiration 17 years later