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| << September07, 2007 - Hearts and Humor - On Two Wheels |
September22, 2007 - Hearts and Humor - It's a Dad's Job - WITH PICTURE >> |
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Hi, Gang! I wanted to share my feelings with you. September 11TH is aa date etched in most of our minds. I was living in the USA during that time. The following story recounts my memories and feelings. Please say a prayer for those who lost their lives in the twin towers on 9/11. My son just finished fire school last week. One day he may be one who tries to rescue someone and is hurt or worse. Thanks to all our new members. I pray my words keep you coming back. Mike Before my story, please check out a man with a mission. Gary is doing his best to change th world. I hope you'll join him. "Hello, From My Heart," Can we measurably change the world? and, in the process; Are you ready to be happier, healthier, and more at peace? We've learned that if we seek change, we must be the change we seek. "Hello, From My Heart" greetings are simply, a proven way to be that change. Since '02, with the participation of millions from around the world, violence has measurably decreased....most notably where registrations were the highest. You are invited to go to www.HelloFromMyHeart.com and click on Event History for the details. "Hello, From My Heart" Days are 9/11 thru 9/21. This is your invitation to be a Peace Hero. Here are just a few ways in which we can make a daily difference: Can you address your emails with a "Hello, From My Heart" greeting? Can you answer your phone with a smile and a "Hello, From My Heart?" Can you greet others with a smile and a warm "Hello, From My Heart?" If you can you'll be happier, healthier, and more at peace! And we'll change the WORLD. It's that simple. As we give, we receive, and when we give a greeting from our hearts; we are in our highest power. Please forward this to everyone you know. Invite them to register at www.HelloFromMyHeart.com and share their greeting with the world. Thanks for choosing to make a difference, and for being part of the Miracle. From My Heart, Gary Schineller, Founder www.HelloFromMyHeart.com 727-376-0753 I Love your comments. Send them to: msmith4@nj.rr.com If anyone is interested in greeting cards or crafts, Ginny belongs to a group of artists. They've teamed together to market their products. Check them out at: http://www.etsygreetings.blogspot.com Ginny's cards and other crafts are at: http://www.ginginsgoodies.etsy.com Be sure to check out my collection of inspirational sites at the end. There's something for everyone. Now for today's story. Hope Beyond Hope I moved to the USA in 1999 and settled in Ohio, where I worked as a project manager in the telecommunications industry. The USA seemed the same as Canada to me. Their was little difference, except the money was all one color and it wasn't home, until 9/11. On that day I learned what it felt like to have my country attacked. I played those words in my head - My Country. They were true. I still felt Canadian, but on 9/11, the USA became my country. I lived here and "WE" were attacked. I was at work when the news came to us. Everyone got on the internet to read what was happening. There were a lot of misconceptions and confusion before the country and the world realized we were under attack. Work stopped. People stood in their cubicles wondering what to do. I had a client who had offices in Midtown Manhattan. I called them, "Janessa, we just heard a plane struck one of the towers. Is it true?" "Yes! It's true. We can see the tower burning from our windows." A few minutes later, we learned another plane struck the second tower and a third plane slammed into the Pentagon. Several minutes later, as we watched people leaping to their death, the towers collapsed into a pile of rubble. The towers were major communication centers for Manhattan. Across the street were the offices of Verizon, one of the largest telecommunication providers on the east coast. Their offices were so badly damaged, six years later, they still stand empty. Most of our customers in Manhattan lost their communication lines. One client called me, "Mike," she choked back tears, "Can you help us. We need to set up emergency network connections." I remembered their main office was located in one of the towers. "Are you OK?" I asked. "Have you heard anything from your staff." "No," she began to cry. I felt helpless. There was nothing I could do but say I was sorry and would do what could to get their network up. They lost most of their employees that day. Word came down from our head office, "This is an extreme emergency. All staff are to stay on duty until further notice." Our managers called a meeting. We were told plans were underway to restore services to the New York area. Several hours later - hours I wanted to spend at home holding my wife - we were told to go home and keep our phones open in case our services were needed. I stood in front of my house with my neighbors, wondering what would happen. We stared at the empty skies. Planes approached the Port Columbus over our homes. On 9/11 the skies were empty. The planes were grounded. "I'm a Canadian," I said to my neighbors, "Tonight, I'm American. I'm happy here. Whoever did this, took on a world of people who believe in freedom. If I'm called to service, I'll go." A year later, I moved to New Jersey. My first weekend here, I visited the site, and stood at the edge of the hole where the towers once stood. Two years before I'd spent an evening on the 107th floor. Our client treated us to dinner at the "Windows of the World" restaurant. I looked up at the blue sky and remembered staring down at The Statue of Liberty. It looked like a tiny toy floating at the entrance to the Hudson River. The towers were no more. Plywood walls still protected the area. Laminated flyers were still stapled to the rotting wood. The pictures of faded loved ones fluttered in the breeze. "Have you seen this person?" they asked - hope beyond hope. I cried. I entered the little church a half block away. Surprisingly, it was not damaged. It served as headquarters for the rescue operations. Inside were letters and cards to the firefighters and their families. They came from school children all over the world. My tears began to flow again. The pictures and letters grew blurry. I sat, waited until my emotions were under control, and weakly walked out. A year later, I talked to a new co-worker. She lived in Manhattan on 9/11. "Mike, I was walking my dog along the Hudson River and saw the second plane strike. I sat in the grass, held my dog and cried. "Mike, my boyfriend was a New York City fireman. He died in the towers. "For weeks, I refused to accept the fact he was dead. A close friend took my hand one day. He was working with the rescuers, clearing out debris. He gave me a safety suit and mask, and snuck me into the ruins where he worked. "He pointed to the buildings around us, 'Ruth, look at those buildings. Picture one of them collapsing. Ruth, he's dead.' and then I cried. It took a friend to make me face reality, Mike." Ruth had been like those who posted pictures on the plywood walls. She didn't want to believe her loved one was gone. There was no trace of them, so in their mind, they had to be alive somewhere. Like all of us, there are times when we find it hard to believe what is happening in our lives. We hold on to hope - hope beyond hope. Michael T. Smith If you enjoy a story, feel free to pass it on to your friends. My only request is that you include the link for your friends to join our family. To join our family, go to: http://subs.zinester.com/86758/ As promised, here is a list of great inspirational sites. I subscribe to all of them. You will love these sites. A good friend of mine has a new book out. You should check this out. Carol's been through rough times. She tells it all in her latest book. Carol Roach M.Ed, B.A. Publisher: Storytime Tapestry Author: Angels Watching Over Me:http://www.lulu.com/content/644485 Picking up the Pieces: A Woman's Journey: www.publishamerica.com To join Carol's story site, go to Storytime Tapestry at: http://archives.zinester.com/98907/ From my wonderful writing friend, Jan. She writes wonderful stories about her life and losing her sight. Janet Perez Eckles Faith and Love with a Latin Flair www.janetperezeckles.com Here's a good one by Linda Della Donna Freelance Writer www.littleredmailbox.com www.griefcase.blogspot.com www.storybone.blogspot.com "...and sometime when I wasn't looking, I got a new life." By my good friend Keith in Australia: http://www.agiftofinspiration.com.au/ My friend Phil runs http://www.peoplestuff.com.au/ Phil's awesome and brutally honest Zev, yes another friend, runs http://empoweringmessages.com/stories/ Heart Catchers is a wonderful site. www.DianeDeanWhite.com www.Heartwarmers.com and www.petwarmers.com are two wonderful story sites. http://hodu.com/ http://www.mydailyinsights.com/ www.ripplemaker.com http://www.sermonillustrator.org http://www.SkyWriting.Net Here's a newly discovered one I like: http://www.archive.zinester.com/9516 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WarmFuzzyStories/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WithInSight/ If you, or anyone you know needs prayers for health concerns, struggles,etc visit www.janetperezeckles.com Janet's prayer group will respond. That's all I can think of right now. If I come up with more, I'll add them. Enjoy!!! I love your comments, Send them to msmith4@nj.rr.com. I'll include some in every post. Now for a few comments on my last story: Comments on my last story were personal messages to me. I won't post them tonight. Many of my readers are concerned about what is happening my life right now. I'll be OK. Ginny and I are loving as ever. My stress stems from another source. When I'm ready to write about it, I will. You'll all be the first to know. I just hope it has a happy ending. To sign up to receive my stories, go to: http://archives.zinester.com/86758 To unsubscribe, please go to: http://www.zinester.com/cgi/unsub.cgi?86758&0& |
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| << September07, 2007 - Hearts and Humor - On Two Wheels |
September22, 2007 - Hearts and Humor - It's a Dad's Job - WITH PICTURE >> |
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