My husband wrote this today on 9-11.

9-11 “ten years later”

Its been ten years since that fateful clear sunny day.

As we tried to process the death of thousands and the events of the day on 9-11, it is just passed 1130 am.

10 years ago today I was at the doctors office looking at a sonogram of my now 9 year old son and wondering what lay in store for him, what kind of world, a now very different world was I bringing a child into.

Today as we take time to reflect on the hero’s and victims,
The loss and tears of a decade, the senselessness of the act it’s self.

Lets not just relive the pain but also embrace the growth, the closeness we feel to people we have never met, the wonder of the ground zero memorial with its trees, water and beautiful stonework and all of the wonders still left to behold.

It should be a reminder to us all that life is short, grab hold of it everyday, give it a squeeze and say thanks you have yet another day to breath, laugh, love and enjoy….being.

We all have an expiration date, so stop putting off doing the things you love, the things you did when you were younger, walking, fishing, building, drawing, running whatever it was. Those bills, dirty dishes and laundry will still be there tomorrow but as we have all learned we may not.

If you have children, try to look past the fights, noise, mess and confusion that comes in the box with those children (why is there no manual?).

And enjoy the smiles, the laughter, the bright reflection in their eyes and live the way children do, with abandon, fearless joy and a taste for adventure, follow their lead.

Jump on the couch because its there.

Bounce on the bed because you can.

Go outside and play in the rain because everything is more fun when your soaked!
(mud angels included)

Mix yellow with green just to see what happens (just not in the fishbowl please).

Roll on the floor and pretend to swim to shore as if chased,
by a shark that can never win because you are invincible!

If you are young put down the video controller and find a new thing to do.

Make a new friend, learn a new sport, ride the bike you love and if you have time give your mom and dad a hug and say thanks for …just being there.

On this day I always think about the death of my mother and I thank God she was not here to see this.

And on 9-9-11 I received a phone call from my best friend,
“Timmy Jr was born at 3:45 this afternoon”
And now my hope is renewed.

My best to all of you and your families today on this tenth anniversary of 9-11.

Be safe, Be well and try to do one nice thing a day,
You never know whose life you may touch today, tomorrow or ever.

To my wife, my love, my thanks and my gratitude, I owe this life to you.

To my children, sorry I yelled at you for not cleaning your room.
Remember to brush your teeth, believe in the impossible, do the right thing whenever possible and I love you more than you will ever know.

To my father Richard Sr., Thanks for showing me how to do the right thing and being there when it is really important.

To my step mother Nancy, you’re a great mom and friend, I am glad to have know you.

To my mother, thanks for being my friend, my enemy and the keeper of the lost souls.

To my friends, What can I say…thanks for being my friends, listening to my vent, sharing my schemes , working with me , playing music with me and for sharing your lives with me.

Richard