America the Beautiful ~ September 11th Memorial

Friday, September 11, 2015 by  

“You might want to turn on the news, there’s been talk that a plane hit the Trade Center,” Phillip said to me that fateful morning 14 years ago as he headed toward Wall Street on the subway. The phone lines went down and I didn’t hear from my husband for another 8 hours. My mother-in-law was visiting from England and we turned on the TV, watching in disbelief the horror unfold minute by minute. One of Phillip’s cohorts was on the 1st plane. Phillip saw the burning towers and felt his building shake as they collapsed to the ground.

Boy Scout at September 11 memorial, Yankee Stadium, Credit-AP, September 23, 2001, Boy Scout waving flag, patriotic, New YorkWe knew 6 people who perished that day; we felt great conviction to attend the memorial service at Yankee Stadium September 23rd, 2001. Our 9-year-old son came down the stairs in his boy scout uniform, “Is this okay to wear?” We were so proud of him. Little did we know this shy young boy would appear in over 60 publications worldwide shining as a beacon of hope for many people. Credit: Associated Press

Photographers at Yankee Stadium Memorial, September 11, 9-11 Memorial, New York   Yankee Stadium, 9-11 Memorial, September 11, September 11th memorial, September 23, 2001

September 11, 2001, Scout in magazine, Credit - AP, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Robin Williams  Scouts, Boy Scout, Boy Scout flying flag, patriotism, Credit - AP, scout in newspaper Boy scout, flag, flag waving, Boy Scouts of America, Credit - AP

Family at 9-11 Memorial, New York memorial, September 11, Boy Scout and family, Credit - AP, September 23, 2001, Yankee Stadium    Scout, Boy Scout, Flag-waving boy scout, scouting, 9-11, September 11, Credit - AP    Talking to kids about terrorism, explaining terrorism, Credit - AP, explanation about terrorism, September 11    September 11 memorial, Yankee Stadium, Boy Scout, Scout waving flag, flag, Credit - AP, 9-11 Memorial
Years have passed. We prayed with our fellow congregants for continued healing and peace. New England church, congregation, steeple, steeple in the sun, steeple in the cloudsMany of the 800 members of this church either work(ed) in New York City or know friends who did. It is very personal for this community.

Church, New England church, filled church, congregants, packed houseTry to imagine voices of passion in our New England church, established 1731, singing the 4 full verses of America the Beautiful. I dare you not to cry as you read and soak in those incredible words. It just says it all – who we are, what this nation is, and where we came from.

September 11 memorial, beach memorial, 10th anniversary of September 11, CT memorial, Sunset memorialLater, we visited the September 11th Memorial in our area; it’s on the water and faces where the Twin Towers used to be.

Someone found a rock in the shape of a heart. September 11 Memorial, heart stone, heart rock, roses on memorial, CT memorial, 9-11 memorial, names of lost souls

 

The Bright SpotTM – God bless our country and our diverse people. We work our way through adversity by standing together.


Bianca

Airlifted St. Patty`s Day!

Sunday, March 17, 2013 by  

Today the world celebrates St. Patrick’s Day. I love the festivities, I love being in parades,Parade, Stamford Ford Lincoln, St. Patrick's Day parade, St. Patrick's Day, celebrations, Mustang, Ford Mustang, Black Mustang, Family, parades and family I love Ireland having studied at Trinity College in Dublin, and I love that even though I’m not Irish, everyone can be Irish for the day. But there is a special reason for a few of us to celebrate: 7 years ago today our son helped save the life of his schoolmate. They were 14 years old.

It had snowed a few days earlier and a bunch of boys went sledding at school. But part of the steep hill had iced over during the night. His friend’s sled flew across the ice and he lost control slamming his head into a brick wall.

2013-03-17_13-08-04-aThe boys didn’t want to get into trouble at school and panicked. They thought it best to get their buddy inside without telling anyone. Our son stood up and said no. He ordered one kid to run and get adult help. He told another to call 911. He ripped off his coat and wrapped it around his friend who was in shock. He told the rest of the boys to not move him at all. His friend received a plate & 37 metal staples in his head. The doctors at the hospital where he was airlifted said had he been moved, he would have died. The immediate actions to get help, warmth and stay calm saved his life.

Boy Scout at September 11 memorial, Yankee Stadium, Credit-AP, September 23, 2001, Boy Scout waving flag, patriotic, New YorkOur son had learned emergency care in Scouts. He knew it was right to risk reprimand from the school administrators rather than risk someone’s life.

The Bright SpotTM bright spot flower – Both boys are 21 now. We are so proud of them ~ fine young boys grown into fine young men.

More about our son: http://www.theletstalkmom.com/tea-talk-momversations/the-making-of-a-superhero/
Credit: Associated Press


Bianca