20th Anniversary of 9-11

Twenty years ago at about this time I received a call from a friend who asked if I knew where Meg was. Meg is a neighbor and friend who was a flight attendant for American Airlines. I knew Meg was traveling but not what days/flights. Our joint friend told me to turn my TV on and you know the shocking news to be found there. It turned out that Meg was supposed to be on the flight that crashed but had traded with a friend to fly the same flight one day earlier. She was in LA with the flight crew from the day before when they learned that their co-workers/friends had died. I can't even imagine how they felt. Meg had some trouble getting through but was finally able to reach her children's schools to let them know that she was fine. They were unsure themselves what flight their Mom had been on.

A co-worker also had a close call as he was in a meeting in the towers when the plane crashed into them. Everyone ran in panic down the stairs but a few in his meeting decided to take the elevator. The people who didn't take the stairs didn't survive though my co-worker did. Once he could get a call to family and work we all received updates from the company on his status. Our company sent a limo from Boston to go pick him up and bring him home as soon as they could get to him.

Such close calls must have been life-changing for them internally at least. At minimum 9-11 made us all realize that even the US is vulnerable and that we needed to assess what was important in life to us.

The Marathon bombing felt similar at least here in Massachusetts. And in a way I feel like the pandemic has been shocking for the world to realize that even with our advances in medicine we can still be subject to an uncontrollable illness.

A day for ruminating though it is also day 2 of the bachelorette party. I hope to only participate in a part of it as I have to get packed for Mike, Justice, and my 6 day trip to Florida starting tomorrow.

Have a safe, healthy, and contemplative Saturday.

Thank you for sharing those powerful reflections Liz. Random memories that come to my mind, how beautiful the weather was that day, congress singing God Bless America on the steps of the Capitol that evening, the eerily quiet skies overhead during the days all flights were grounded...

One of the potential targets that day was the Mall of America. Some of the terrorists did their flight training here. Knowing this, I remember the first time I went to the mall after 9/11 I was nervous. It seems silly now, but everything felt so crazy at the time.

Today is another beautiful late summer day here, much like it was 20 years ago. DH is at work. I will take care of some errands and maybe do some shopping, reading. Relax.

9/11: Love can overcome hate. Love others outrageously and change the world.

Such a sad anniversary.

Loads of walking today in beautiful places. 18000 steps. Her village is very walkable so we walk to all the stores too. I think my clothes feel looser. No snacking makes a difference. Not much else to report on!