{This Moment} Honoring...

{This Moment} A weekend ritual. A single photo -no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.....

Remembering...

I will never forget how blue the sky was that day. It was easily the most gorgeous blue sky I had ever witnessed (then and still).

Eighteen years ago I was teaching at The New England Center for Children. As I drove from my apartment in Belmont to the school in Southborough I remember think that it was the most gorgeous day ever and that I was looking forward to the end of the school day so that I could spend the rest of it outside enjoying what (at that point) felt like the most beautiful day ever.

I was teaching when the new came. A quiet knock came on our door. I think it was from our team supervisor, Nicole, telling us that something had happend in NYC. Since we had a TV in our room we quickly switched it on to see what was happening. We were all in shock as we stared at the images unfolding on the screen. Surely, this had to be some movie stunt gone wrong? But no, that was not the case at all. Even before NECC decied to send everyone home early that day (something that was unheard of) parents had started calling to say they would be coming to pick up their child. Many had ties to NYC (or worked in NYC or flew regularly on those two planes) and felt as if they needed to circle the wagons up and be with their families in that moment. A feeling we all shared.

It was a traffic free ride down the Pike back home to Belmont that day. It was eerily quiet. I called my mom from the car and she said to me, "You really shouldn't be driving and talking on the phone to which I replied, "No worries, mom, I am on the only one on the road." The quiet remained for the rest of the day and all through the night (and for several days and nights thereafter). The only noise being that of an occasional fighter jet flying overhead (patrolling from Hanscom AFB).

And yet, here we are, eighteen years later, able to remember everything about that day as if it just happend. Including the gorgeous blue color of the sky....

Fifteen Septembers

On this day, fifteen Septembers later, we remember, we honor, we mourn and we grieve. xo

We Remember

September 11th

Last year it was decided that we'd make treats to bring to the first responders in our town on September 11th. It felt like a good way to give back to men and women who, though perhaps not there in NYC on September 11, 2001, put their lives on the line for us each and every day. Last night, as we tucked the girls in bed we asked them what we should do for a September 11th service project. "Let's bake treats for the Firemen and Police!" they replied. And so we did. Cookies were baked, decorated and delivered (along with notes of thanks) and the events of this day thirteen years ago were quietly reflected on by their Papa and I.

Today- and always- we wish the world peace. To those who are grieving today please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. xo

National Day Of Service And Remembrance

 Yesterday was the National Day of Service and Remembrance. The girls and I chatted over breakfast about what we could do for our "good deed". I told them a little bit about September 11th and the helpers that were present that day and they decided that we should bake something yummy to take to the fire department and police department in our town. 

One quick trip to the store,and some coloring pages printed from online, and our service project was ready to go. 

We decided to wait until David got home to deliver the brownies so that he could be part of the project too. 

It was the perfect way to spend our September 11th. Taking a day that was so horrific and doing something good with it is just what is needed. Such a simple project and yet one that brought so much joy to all involved. The fire department and police department were both surprised and honored to receive homemade treats and cards. I imagine those brownies didn't last long!

Community Service Learning is such a very a powerful thing and something that I am happy is a such major part of our family and how we roll. I love that giving back is second nature to the girls. I love how all they need to hear is that there is a need somewhere and they come up with a way to fill it. I love that they will grow up using this day to serve and give back. It is my hope that they never know first hand anything like the events of that awful day all those years ago; but if they do I know in my heart that these two sweet souls will surely roll up their sleeves and find a way to Do Good.