I’m Lucky, and I'm Grateful
Kena Betancur. Getty Images.Every year I think about this awful day and a way to articulate how much it affected this city, it’s residents and the country.
I understand how tragic this day was and that many families got things much worse than I did.
For that I’m lucky.
I’m lucky that my father made it home to his 4 children , with another one on the way , after working just blocks from the towers in lower Manhattan. I am lucky he stayed in his office building to console his dear friend who knew his brother was above the point of impact in the tower, knowing no one should be alone in those moments. Im lucky to have a father who taught us a lesson about compassion.
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Im lucky my uncles who worked as first responders survived that day. On that day and the days after they experienced the worst loss those professions can have. The loss of their coworkers, their “brothers” if you will. The guys they sweat with, bled with, bonded with, protected , and loved. The ones who signed up for a dangerous job , knew the risk and showed up everyday knowing they put others safety above their own.
I am lucky my uncle who was in the air that day landed safely and made it home to his 6 kids. It wasn’t until years later I heard the story from his son. He mentioned he emergency landed somewhere in the southeast when they grounded all planes and got off the plane and bought a rental car to drive home.
I’m lucky to have had 21 years of memories with my father, and my uncles.
I’m also grateful .
I’m grateful to live in a city that can have its heart ripped out and come back stronger. I’m thankful that there are people who live in this city that are willing to give up their safety for the safety of others. I’m thankful for the courage first responders showed that day, the days before, the days after , and the 21 years since. I’m thankful that when our city has every right to shut down, we continue to show up.
I’m thankful to have seen the memories of the people who lost their lives that day live on. The speeches at the wakes and funerals shed light on what kind of spirit they had. The stories at the golf outings or benefits show their humility and their personality. Their siblings, their spouse , their kids , their grandkids , all have a little piece of them in themselves. That will live on forever.
Lastly , I’m thankful that when we said “never forget” we meant it.
Never forget how horrific that day was . Never forget how sad it made us, never forget how angry it made us.
Never forget how we treated each other in the days after. Never forget how we rallied together and helped each other.
Never forget the people to be thankful for the people in your lives who made it home that day. Never forget to thank the people who made that possible.
Never forget the people we lost that day. Never forget to be grateful for the ones who were lost saving others.
Never forget the people who died in the days after. Working in that area affected tons of people , and still does to this day. Lives are still being taken from that day.
Most importantly never forget to keep the memory of all those people alive. Talk about them, learn about them, share stories, honor them. Terrorism wants us to be scared and fearful. Terrorism can never win. The heart of the people will always win. Resiliency will always win.
“Fairness doesn’t govern life and death if it did no good person would die young.” - Mitch Albom
“The greatest high you can get in life is by helping somebody and making a difference . “ - Timmy Stackpole
Gary Hershorn. Getty Images.