Twenty One Years Ago Today

Does it seem like it happened twenty one years ago? Do you remember where you were? Because I do. I was teaching in my classroom. My class had left the room and the front office called to tell me what was going on. I quickly turned on the television as there weren’t any students in the room and watched the South Tower of the World Trade Center fall in real time. It was surreal to me and I remember how my mind couldn’t quite grasp the reality of what I was seeing at that very moment.

Students came back in for the next class I was teaching and I had to remain calm, but I was a little more than shaky. Luckily, at that time my students were still blissfully unaware of what was occurring and we forged on, business as usual. By later in the day word had spread as parents had come to take their children safely home. We had many parents who worked in NYC at the time and many at the World Trade Center. Some of those parents never came home, which was a tragedy that as a community we all mourned, along with their families.

I remember how my Mom used to talk about the day that JFK was shot and how everyone remembered that day and where they were. I feel that 9/11 is similar especially for those of us on the East Coast. It changed our world in ways that we still feel today…twenty one years later.

I still get teary on this day. I don’t know why, but I do. So on this quiet Sunday morning, I ask that you take a few moments in stillness with me for all of the souls who passed in this tragedy and for all of those who were so affected by it.

We have not forgotten. You are always remembered. God bless.

Shine On!

xo

Twenty Years Ago Today

Time is such an interesting concept as sometimes it goes by very quickly and at others, it seems to plod along slowly. As with many anniversaries, today is one of remembrance and I wanted to honor those who we lost on September 11, 2001 and those who we lost subsequently because of this heart wrenching tragedy.

Many of us know exactly where we were when we first heard the unbelievable news. Especially being a Jersey Girl and so close to NYC, we felt the fear, the grief and the hole in our lives in different ways. As I gazed up at the clear blue sky this morning while drinking my coffee and listening to the peaceful sounds of nature, I prayed because it was a morning such as this that changed so many lives in ways that nobody could have dared to imagine.

Even so many years later, I am stilled by this anniversary. Does it affect you as well?

One of my favorite songs we sang at church when I was growing up was Let There Be Peace On Earth. While I was sitting outside this morning, the song came to me and the words nestled into my heart. So I had to share them with you in case you feel as if you’d like to sing along.

Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be
With God as our father
Brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony

Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow
To take each moment
And live each moment
In peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth
Let there be peace on earth
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin 
With me (me)
With me

I’m sending heartfelt hugs to all of you. Please continue to shine your heartlights and share your loving kindness with those around you. Our world feels mighty heavy lately. Your beacons of heartlight shine so brightly and help us all to remember that we are not alone.

God Bless.

Shine On!

xo

9/11 We Will Never Forget

It’s been 19 years since that day that changed us all. In remembrance, as you prepare for bed tonight…on this day 19 years ago:

246 people went to sleep in preparation for their morning flights.

2,606 people went to sleep in preparation for work in the morning.

343 firefighters went to sleep in preparation for their morning shift.

60 police officers went to sleep in preparation for their morning patrol.

8 paramedics went to sleep in preparation for the morning shift of saving lives.

None of them took a breath past 10:00 a.m. on September 11, 2001.

For the many more who died from illnesses related to being there that day, let us never forget. That day, this piece of history, changed the entire world forever.

For those who lost loved ones, please know that we keep you all in our prayers. We remember your loss and we send prayers to you and your family..

So please as you lay down to sleep tonight, tell your loved ones how much they mean to you, snuggle them all a little tighter, and THANK GOD for all of your blessings. God Bless.

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

Shine On!

xo

9/11

On the eve of 9/11/19, I sit quietly on my couch in my home, but as always when this anniversary comes, my heart breaks.  As I scroll through Facebook with all of the photos from that day being repeated because it’s the anniversary, I cry.  I can’t help myself.

I cry for the losses that so many suffered.  I cry for their families.  I cry because the night before, this eve before 9/11/2001, no one knew how life would be changed so irrevocably for our nation.

The tragedy of 9/11 still haunts the hearts, minds and souls of so many of us.  Even as  the years have passed, eighteen to be exact, the anniversary of 9/11 holds a sadness that hasn’t been forgotten.

We have learned that life can change in a moment’s notice.  All that we have known can be obliterated and we have to pick up the pieces as best we can when this happens.  My prayers are with each of you who have been touched by 9/11.

We have heard the tragic stories from those who were there at Ground Zero.  Many survivors have recounted their experiences.  We have been told of the amazing courage that so many people showed.  We have seen strangers bonded in the wake of this tragedy.  In some form or another, we have all been touched by this event.

Please, tell your loved ones how you feel.  Count your blessings.  Be grateful for this peaceful moment.  Send out your heartlight energy to fill the world with love and compassion.  Tomorrow is not guaranteed to any of us.  That is why we must hold tenderly The Presents of Presence.

Tonight, as I lay my head upon my pillow, I pray for us all.

Shine On!

xo