Laura, your poem is moving and lovely, its imagery perfect. Thank you for posting it here (it may have been here before but as I am relatively new on Substack, I had not read it before).
Thank you, Maureen. I wrote the poem not long after 9/11/2001 and have tried to share it in some fashion every year since. This tragedy has a name and a face. As does every tragedy. Our humanity calls us to remember that.
What a beautiful, poignant poem, Laura. We missed our usual 9-11 remembrance this year. My husband began having sudden onset seizures the evening of 9-10 and I spent the next 36+ hours awake and at the hospital with him. But we will never forget 9-11. One of our boys was just beginning his first year at the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point on Long Island, and we had just flown home after parents weekend the night of 9-9. Over the next 4 years we visited Ground Zero at least 4 times, and returned not too many years ago. I need to read Brian Doyle's essay again. Thank you for the reminder.
Patricia, I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's seizures! I will be praying he receives good medical care and the cause will be found and effectively treated. How scary for you both. And your 9/11 store--the timing! It's human nature for things to fade from memory, or at least become less emotionally salient, but when I think of Paul's bright light of a life being snuffed out, and knowing that every story, every person was someone's light, it makes it feel like yesterday to me. Thanks for stopping by, Patricia and sharing your story. I'll be praying for your husband.
Wow, Laura. Once again, your words are so eloquently expressed, beautiful and meaningful in these days of remembering. Thank you for your comfort today.
Beautiful, Laura! I haven’t forgotten that day in September when you and I watched in horror as nine eleven unfolded on TV. Very comforting words for remembering!
Laura, your poem is moving and lovely, its imagery perfect. Thank you for posting it here (it may have been here before but as I am relatively new on Substack, I had not read it before).
Thank you, Maureen. I wrote the poem not long after 9/11/2001 and have tried to share it in some fashion every year since. This tragedy has a name and a face. As does every tragedy. Our humanity calls us to remember that.
What a beautiful, poignant poem, Laura. We missed our usual 9-11 remembrance this year. My husband began having sudden onset seizures the evening of 9-10 and I spent the next 36+ hours awake and at the hospital with him. But we will never forget 9-11. One of our boys was just beginning his first year at the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point on Long Island, and we had just flown home after parents weekend the night of 9-9. Over the next 4 years we visited Ground Zero at least 4 times, and returned not too many years ago. I need to read Brian Doyle's essay again. Thank you for the reminder.
Patricia, I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's seizures! I will be praying he receives good medical care and the cause will be found and effectively treated. How scary for you both. And your 9/11 store--the timing! It's human nature for things to fade from memory, or at least become less emotionally salient, but when I think of Paul's bright light of a life being snuffed out, and knowing that every story, every person was someone's light, it makes it feel like yesterday to me. Thanks for stopping by, Patricia and sharing your story. I'll be praying for your husband.
Wow, Laura. Once again, your words are so eloquently expressed, beautiful and meaningful in these days of remembering. Thank you for your comfort today.
Thank you for sitting shiva with me, Karen 🩷
Tender. Reflective. Hopeful.
Thank you, friend. 🩷
Beautiful, Laura! I haven’t forgotten that day in September when you and I watched in horror as nine eleven unfolded on TV. Very comforting words for remembering!
We will always remember that spaghetti sauce we were supposed to be canning—forgotten jars lined up on the counter.
Thank you, Jody. Yes, only Brian Doyle. How can we even try to give words after reading his? And yet, we must. Grateful for you, friend.