Celebration

Today is September 12th and it's Alan's birthday. It's hard for him to really enjoy the day ever since 9/11. We're both New Yorkers (I happened to have been off from work that day) and will be eternally affected by the mind-boggling events that transpired. We watched new footage on the History Channel last night (I think it was called Remembering 9/11) and they showed actual video clips taken by New Yorkers as the events unfolded. The plumes of clouds entering the streets after the collapse of the buildings...people running for their lives....covered with ash...I couldn't help thinking that some of that was human ash/remains. People just like us...who had been obliterated by the collapse and explosions. I was equally struck by the ability of others -- who witnessed all this -- to perservere. I'll never forget going back to work a couple of days after the disaster and being grief stricken by the scores of MISSING posters that covered the walls of the city. Photos of loved ones...many of whom were never to be seen again. It was really heartbreaking.

All of this probably underscores the fact that life is so very precious and should be celebrated with every breath you take. So Happy Birthday Alan. I celebrate your existence and am happy you're a part of my life.