STORM2K

Opinions on this board and most others you visit in September offer a wide range of sentiment and emotion about 9/11.

Some say it is time to put it away and move on. Others are tearful and reminded of unimaginable pain. Still others use it as a forum for furthering other causes. Others just want to forget.

I am choosing today, 9/11/03, to spend one moment of my time...time I have been given since that day, and time appreciated through the sacrifice of others, to appreciate someone around me.

Sometime today...not planned, but spontaneous, I'll have an opportunity to say thank you through a handshake, a smile, a hug, or kind words...maybe even an e-mail...to someone who, along with me, feels like they lost some good friends that day.

So in that moment, whenever it occurs, I will reach out to someone and say something reassuring, grasp their hand and thank them, or put a hand on their shoulder and remind them of my appreciation.

Indeed I'd like to be able to do that directly with a family member of one lost that day two years ago...but I doubt that will happen. Still, in the spirit of their memory, I will share my thanks and good wishes with someone nearby.

I'll do that so that from their loss we can indeed move on and feel the gift in our hearts that their sacrifice brought.

Later today, I'll try to let you know the circumstances under which I made someone else's day a little brighter.

I'd like to hear of simple gestures by others doing the same. Feel free to post yours here.

However simple or small...if you take a tiny part of this day to make another person's better, you will have made a wonderful mark on the world around you, and 9/11/01 will not have been in vain.

Steve

Great idea Dennis. I'll try that today myself!

What a wonderful thought!! I will do the same! You are a very special person Steve with a very giving heart!

Actually Marshall, it's Azskymans idea, not mine.........thanks, I'm flattered to be considered in the same league as Steve.........thank you Steve, what wonderful words.

Dennis

Sorry Steve.... I need to put my glasses on next time I guess It's still a great idea

Steve, what you said made a difference to me. I've been in a bad mood and your post gave me a little boost. Thanks. (Virtual pat on the back)

Marshall - don't feel bad, I mix up Dennis' and Steve's posts all the time. Surprised they both still *talk* to me, LOL.

Steve - this is a great idea.

I'm not ready to go back to 9/11 being a normal day. How can it EVER be a normal day? But in this way, your suggestion, we can honor the victims and their families by making this world a nicer place, one person at a time.

As I said...my day was so busy I didn't know where the opportunities would show up...but guess what, they did!

Three times.

First, I had the opportunity to tell one of my pressman how much I appreciated the effort he had made in developing tactful ways of solving problems. Working with a group of mostly 20-30 somethings, tact is often replaced by sharp comments or confrontation. But not with this guy. I've watched him grow from a bewildered kid to a neat person...and today I let him know.

Second, in the middle of a barrage of busy meetings, all of the sudden I had the chance to go to bat for another employee in our company...somebody who needed a boost. As I was meeting with the CEO and our president at the time, I threw out a half dozen statements on this person's behalf...stopping the two of them in their tracks. At the end of the 3 hour meeting, our CEO thanked me for what he considered an enjoyable and productive session.

Finally, I decided to OFFER my help to my son Jarrod in washing his car tonight. It is a nice night in Phoenix and he never says no to that opportunity. We talked, shared some stories, and at the end of the day...both shared a hug and a handshake. He got a clean car. I got a moment to reflect on how lucky I am.

With the sun setting I came to grips with the realities that far too many families are dealing with...loss from 9/11 that will never come back.

A humbling moment after a very busy day.

Oh, and by the way, Dennis, I am the one who feels honored to be considered in YOUR shoes (although I am sure I'd swim in them!)

Steve