A Day of Rememberance

September 11, 2008

Written by Karen D. Swim

On this day seven years ago I was at home and suprisingly awake at what was 5:30 am in the morning. I had left my Corporate job in July and had planned to take a 6 month break before returning to work. I was enjoying getting up early to prepare breakfast for my hubby, pack his lunch and being a stay at home wife. My husband sat drinking his morning coffee and watching the news, and at 5:46 an event shook up our peaceful morning routine and began a day of horror.

I can remember the shock and disbelief as I watched the false veil of security in which we had cloaked ourselves ripped to shreds. My heart was grieved for my fellow citizens who had been victimized by terrorists. The world seemed to go completely quiet as the horror of it all unfolded on our tv screens. I made frantic calls to friends in NY to make sure that they were safe, and thankfully the news was good. Yet in the days and weeks ahead, I mourned for all that had not survived and the families and friends who were touched by this tragedy.

As I remember the events of 9/11 and pause in honor of citizens who lost their lives, I am also grateful for the many gifts in own life. So, today seems like a proper day to thank all of you. I appreciate everyone who reads this blog, whether or not you comment. Many of you I do not know but I am so very thankful that you read my words. I am especially thankful to my co-bloggers that add to the content and discussions with funny, insightful and wise comments. You enrich the experience of everyone who reads by being a part of this blog.

While my blog roll lists many blogs that I recommend it does not come close to being complete! A huge thank you to the blogs that enlighten, inspire, educate and entertain me week after week. Today, however, I’d like to tip my hat to just a few in cyberspace both bloggers and non-bloggers.

Gailen David, The SkySteward. Gailen’s Jetiquette Program won the 2008 Travel Weekly Magellan Award. The man is truly passionate about service and walks the talk in all that he does. He is warm, funny and sincere and on a mission to enhance the travel experience for customers.

Kyle Lacy. I recently discovered Kyle’s blog and he is a genuinely nice guy who blogs about social media. He is currently conducting an experiment to create more genuine connections with social media friends.

Sonia Simone. Sonia is talented, warm, and funny. She has recently re-launched her blog with a new design and her content remains top notch. In addition to her incredible talents, the woman is gracious. She was nominated for Top 10 Writing Blogs and used the opportunity to spotlight other writers. (It’s not to late to vote by the way!)

Finally, Joanna Young is writing on the theme of respect this month. The topic has resonated with me and has me examining my writing, reading and entire style of communication. It seems appropriate to highlight on this day.

The list above does not come close to honoring all that I read, love and respect but I will share with you more often. Again, thank you, all of you for making room for me in your day. Group hug!

Now it is your turn. Is there anyone today that you would like to remember, honor or thank? Please feel free to share in the comment box. We would like to join you in honoring the people that are important in your life.

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Posted by Karen Swim | Filed Under Insights

Comments

9 Responses to “A Day of Rememberance”

Joanna Young on September 11th, 2008 12:34 pm

What a thoughtful post Karen, and thanks for sharing your appreciation for others. You know the feeling is mutual

I wouldn’t mention anyone specific here but I would like us to try and remember our common humanity however different our worlds, languages and cultures might appear. It seems like it’s the only way we’ll ever learn how to move forward in this world.

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Wendi Kelly-Life's Little Inspirations on September 11th, 2008 2:43 pm

Karen, You gave me the chills as I remembered my own morning that early Sept morning. I know I will never forget.

But I did wake up this morning not knowing that it was the eleventh. It was a coincendence that the world was weighing heavy on my mind when I woke up this morning after a significant experience I felt last night going over a few things on my blog. After I wrote about it and hit publish, I saw the post date of Sept 11 on the page. hmmm. It was appropriate but unplanned.

You Karen, are doing such a great job in bringing community together, I am always so inspired when I come here.
Also, Ellen Wilson too. She has a heart and soul to really make a difference and it shows in everything she does.

As for our day of rememberence, Let’s let it not just be a day for America, but let’s build a stronger and more loving entire world that can join together through the power of communication. I really believe it can be done.

Wendi Kelly-Life’s Little Inspirationss last blog post..The Power of Your Secret Weapon

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Lillie Ammann on September 11th, 2008 2:44 pm

Karen,
You are an inspiration with your eloquent words and generous spirit. I’d like to honor you.

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Brad Shorr on September 11th, 2008 3:22 pm

Hi Karen, I’d like to thank God we’ve been spared further attacks here in the States since that dreadful day. It was characteristically thoughtful of you to remember it on your blog today. We were in Las Vegas on 9-11, attempting to fly home from a convention. I’ll never forget standing in the casino at the Bellagio watching those building crash to the ground, while hundreds of people were paying no attention at all, transfixed on their blackjack games or whatever. Just plain weird. The world has seemed pretty weird to me in general ever since.

Brad Shorrs last blog post..Project Confident Friendship Recap

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Friar on September 11th, 2008 6:25 pm

I was actually in Alaska at the time, travelling. It was the most sparkling beautiful sunny day imaginable, and I planned on taking a scenic airplane flight around Mt. McKinley.

It was a 2 hour drive to the airport, and I caught some jumbled radio news story about a train tunnel in New York being evacuated. Radio reception was not that great, I didn’t think too much of it. Maybe a derailment or something.

I stopped in a gas station, and mentionned to the attendant did they hear anything from New York? He said the World Trade Center was GONE. The Pentagon got hit.

Whattya mean, GONE? I asked.

GONE, he said.

(Whaaat?). No way.

Didn’t know what else to do. I went to the airport, but of course, all flights were grounded.

The bush-pilot invited me into the office with his wife, to watch TV. We saw the Towers fall.

Here we were, surrounded by glaciers and mountain-fed streams. It was paradise. Yet on the other side of the continent, all hell was breaking loose.

What a beautiful, strange, sad, surreal day.

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Evelyn Lim on September 11th, 2008 9:29 pm

I may not come from the U.S. but I remember feeling horrified when it happened. 9/11 is a firm reminder that we should never take our security for granted. Life has never been quite the same after it. Our country is in a heightened state of awareness ever since.

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Andrew on September 11th, 2008 9:36 pm

Karen,

A very thoughtful post.

My thoughts and prayers are with those who lost loved ones, and are forced to endure a painful reminder of that cowardly attack on your country seven years ago.

Let’s hope and pray that there are no further attacks on innocent people in your country, and that people in America, as well as in every other part of the free world, can enjoy freedom from fear of such cowardly acts.

Cheers

Andrew

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Kyle Lacy on September 12th, 2008 6:49 pm

Great post Karen!!

Thanks for the link.

This was by far one of the best posts I read yesterday.

Kyle Lacys last blog post..What Would Seth Do? Seth Godin and Compendium.

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Karen Swim on September 13th, 2008 5:49 pm

Thank you everyone for reading and posting! I was feeling a bit under the weather the past couple of days so please forgive the delay in my response time.

@Joanna, I love your point about our shared humanity. One thing that I believe many took away from 9/11, we are global citizens and no matter where in the world we live, we share the same joys, and struggles and grieve when one of our own is harmed or hurt.

@Wendi, I love your sentiment and join you in the quest to create a more loving world. Bravo!

@Lillie, *blushing*, oh thank you for those kind words. One generous spirit recognizes another dear Lillie.

@Friar, wow, I had no idea you were in the US when that happened. Your final comment sums it up ,beautiful, strange, sad and surreal. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the zombie like state I felt that day and in the days that followed.

@Evelyn, you are so right. We can take nothing for granted. I don’t live in fear but I do love in mindful joy.

@Andrew, I share your sentiments and join you in hoping that all over the world, no one has to ever suffer from cowardly acts. I hope for peace not just here but everywhere.

@Kyle, the link was a pleasure. I love your sincerity. Thank you so much for the kind words.

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