that day

I was 24 and I lived with my mother and grandmother. I was asleep. Mom called me, more like shouted for me to come into her room. Even in that haze, I knew something was wrong. I stumbled in and adjusted my eyes just in time to see the 2nd plane strike.

To say I couldn't believe it is more than understatement. But the nightmare I viewed was very real.

I worked as the frame shop manager at Hobby Lobby. On the bus, it was the consuming conversation. At work, we were all huddled around radios in every department. Customers as well. No one complained.

The stories poured in. We sold out of American flags and prints, posters of the World Trade Center, small packs of Kleenex and anything that said God Bless America. It was the longest day ever.

Shock. Inexplicable pain and sorrow. Numbness. Fear. Hope. Anger.

What happened? Was this how they felt during the attack on Pearl Harbor?

Why?

All those people. Gone. Their families forever changed. What did this mean?

All the neighborhoods that came together. Candlelight vigils.

The sound of a silent sky.

The tiredness and sadness and the fight to hold back tears and anger in the eyes of President Bush. 

What were we going to do?

Never thought I'd see this. Never thought I'd experience this. 

Never will I forget.

feeling some kinda way

www.quoteswave.com

This semester I'm taking a class called digital storytelling. We'll be focusing on telling stories through various media- words, pictures, audio clips, etc. We are setting up a blog dedicated to a general theme. For example travel, food, a hobby or pro skill or some such.

My new blog is supposed to be about Community- a look into diverse groups of people who are united by common interests.

However, the blatant disregard and dishonor that I consistently witness are making me want to change it into Rant (dot) com instead.

Can we actually choose to love one another any more? Or are we on a crusade to fault find, expose weakness and moments of poor decision making, as if any of us are exempt?

Empathy. Compassion. Unity.

I may not understand what you're going through but I won't deny the existence of your challenges because of unfamiliarity on my part.

I want to reach out to expand who I am by listening to others experiences. Will others afford  the same courtesy to one another?

Now I'm rambling. I'm done for tonight.

What are some ways you show honor, love, respect, empathy to your friends?