Well, as some list members know, several of my family members were in or
around the WTC yesterday. The closest being my nephew who took the PATH train
right to the bottom of the WTC just as the first plane rammed into the tower.
Fortunately, he escaped with minor injuries.
My brother in law is now on the site, working with fire and rescue crews.
Sadly, there is little to rescue.
Although I have lived away from the metro NY area for nearly 20 years, I
still consider it home. It shocks me to the core to sit and watch the news
and yet I cannot tear myself away from it.
I am scheduled to take a business trip to the area next week and looking at
my flight arrangements notice my Newark to CA return in a different light.
As I typed out that sentence, I am realizing that I am looking at EVERYTHING
in a different light. I'm counting my blessings, (and I've always been a
perpetual blessings counter), more than ever; I'm in love with a wonderful
man, my children, albeit at times candidates for juvenile hall, are healthy
and happy, my 20 year old lives away from home and does not come back with
dirty laundry. My workplace does not require me to wear pantyhose. Life is
good for me.
And another blessing to not overlook is this list. I share a wonderful and at
times mysterious kinship with many wonderful and varied list members. I know
that there have been many a personal burden lightened considerably by people
like Colin and Mark Scott and Rev Vince and others, including the poster
trouble guy of the year, Marcel. (to be frank and honest, I have to say that
I have never, even within disagreements, received anything close to insults
or abuse from him).
I got a lot of balm from reading John Van Thiel's terrific post. I sat
anxious as I scrolled through the many personal stories, hoping to always see
the "found and ok!" ending.
While it's not coming out as articulate as I would like to see, (and I'm sure
that constant interruptions for snacks, homework help, requests for hamsters
and puppies and phone calls are wrecking their share of havoc on my thought
process), I want to say thank you. Thanks to Les for creating such a great
list. Thanks to Colin for always vigorously defending differences, thanks to
Khakki and Bob for encouraging what they are "gently" suggesting by
contributing alternative posts.
Aren't we a lucky bunch?
MG
