10 years Ago Today: My thoughts
Posted By Kathleen David on September 11, 2011
I really debated about writing about 9-11-2001.
I could write about the day itself. Where I was when the first plane hit and the aftermath. It was during my time at Del Rey Books which was probably one of the best jobs I ever had. Or how my boss and I had a meeting in a building right next to the towers that afternoon. It had been in the morning but was switched at the last minute. Also due to what happened that day, I later was downsized from that job. I still miss it.
I could write about the trip home when subways were finally allowed to function again. No trains so I had to go to Jamaica Queens to stand in a line only to find out that was not the line I needed to be standing in but a kind MTA person helped me get on the next train home. I could write about the relief on my husband’s face when I came through the door.
I could write about the woman who got onto the subway. She was covered in a fine grey dust that a lot of people had on their clothes but hers was the thickest I saw. She was bleeding from a head wound. The subway car was crowded but the passengers got her to a seat and we helped two doctors and a nurse through the people to get to her. All she wanted to do was go home but she didn’t know really where she was or what had happened to her. One of the doctors and the nurse left with her at the next station to get her to a hospital that was there. They gave up their ride to help this woman. I hope all are fine.
I could write about my train buddy who had retired the week before but his company offered him an obscene amount of money (according to him) to train two replacements which would come in useful as his wife and him were going to take his sailboat around the world. They had been planning this for almost 30 years. He was always willing to show us pictures of his boat which he worked very hard on to get ready. We found out through his wife that he didn’t make it out.
I could talk about the people I know that are trying 10 years later to sort out bills and health insurance from that day. A lot of people were effected in that area who are still fighting the system to be compensated for their losses. Including two friends who had permits to raise endangered tropical birds and had an aviary down in the area. They lost all but 2 of the birds to lung problems.
Instead I would like to talk about an organization that started the next year. I don’t remember when I joined but it was in the first year or two. The organization is called My Good Deed.
From the website
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It is easy and free to participate. All you need to do (joining millions of others around the world) is observe the anniversary of 9/11 by performing good deeds, supporting charitable causes, volunteering and engaging in other acts of compassion. copyright MyGoodDeed a non-profit agency.
The website is www.911day.org
It is simple to do a good deed and do it for those who are no longer with us and those who are still here.
My support this year goes to those most of American of things, a start-up of a business. My step-daughter and her husband have a dream and it is a good dream. They want to open a movie theater in Jacksonville that is a little different from most movie theaters. We are supporting them anyway we can and I ask for your help too.
From Peter’s web site (www.peterdavid.net)
My eldest daughter, Shana, and her husband, Tim, are trying to get a business started in Jacksonville, FL. They are attempting to raise money to refurbish a local movie theater and turn it into a showcase. I am extremely proud of her efforts and would love to see her succeed. You can not only find details of their endeavors (and how you can contribute) here…
…but you can also watch a TV news piece and see her talking about it.
She’s got a ways to go to her goal and there are deadlines involved. So this can’t be one of those, “That seems nice; let me think about it for a month.” She needs people to step in and do so now. If it’s any incentive, I can offer this: For every donation of $500, I will send the donor a piece of artwork from one of my stories, autographed by yours truly. So let’s get it going, people. Please help my little girl realize her dream.
PAD
So that’s what I am doing for my deed this year. Please help if you can.
I am grateful that I did make it home 10 years ago today.
I know five people that were living in NYC on 9/11. Thankfully, none of them were killed or injured by what happened that day, but all of them have more obvious scars than the rest of us. And more thought provoking war stories. Thanks for sharing yours.