Sep 10, 2011

Reflections On A Saturday Morning in September

Ten years ago today there was no such think as Facebook, Twitter or even iPods!  It was a different world. We've all changed - we dared to rebuild and life went on. We have witnessed amazing bravery, love, courage, and agony. Just For Today, let us love one another and see where it will bring us.

On 9/10/2010

I was a different person. I had not yet turned 50. My mother was alive. I'd just quit smoking for the 3rd or 4th time. I had a system for working the business Alpha-Interiors my husband Vin and I own. I'd begun to enjoy the fruits of being an entrepreneur - I was choosing the time of day when I'd do my share of the work for the business.

I had high cholesterol and needed to increase exercise, lose weight, and stop living like I was going to last forever. I had a few medical conditions as a result of taking a diet drug that was removed from the market and the weight piled back on after I stopped taking the "magic" pill. I was afraid that my foolish attempt to lose weight with a magic pill would bring my life to a sudden end.

I was intentionally working on eliminating refined sugars and white flour from my system. To help me in my efforts to stay off cigarettes I was walking our young dog several times a day (actually she was walking me). Also, I spent several hours a week working at The Great American Stamp Store in Westport, CT as a sales clerk. The work at the store was a delight to me. I loved every minute.

We were preparing for a guest artist who was coming to teach at the store the next day. The classes were booked up solid as the guest's art rubber stamps were a popular commodity in the store. Then next day, I believe just one person who had signed up came to the classes. It was a solemn afternoon as we listened to the radio learned new techniques to apply to our rubber stamp art together.   

Just about a year later, I met a young mother who was a 9/11 widow.  We became friends.  She was pregnant with a second child on 9/11/2001 and had another young child as well.  Knowing her opened my world and my heart to meanings and appreciation for my own life that I am yet unable to put into words.  Today I’m reminded of a poem I wrote as a result of knowing such a courageous woman.  I will share it sometime if I can find where I put it for safekeeping.