Yesterday was 9/11. We will never forget. Ever.
For my students it was 9/11, they do not know. Most of them were not alive when the day unfolded and our world changed, forever.
9/11/2001 was my son W’s first day of pre-school – he was three. He remembers momma standing in front of the television crying and asking her what was wrong.
Momma replied, “Bad news.”
To him, and all of us, 9/11 is the day of the ‘Bad News.’
Yet, it doesn’t have to be the day of the Bad News.
At school, we were looking for a way to mark the day and remember. The flag flew at half-staff, we observed a moment of silence, and the above ‘Today in History’ slide appeared in the daily announcements. Then, our school went about our day – learning, guiding, leading, assessing, re-teaching, and so many other verbs. We do it every day.
— Clay Watkins (@makingdayscount) September 12, 2015
After the announcements were finished, I showed the video below. Please take a moment to watch it – the video is 2 minutes and 19 seconds long. It will be time well spent, I promise.
I do good deeds daily, but sometimes I need reminder to do more, to give more, to pay it forward. I suppose we all need a gentle nudge from time to time to remind us that we are part of something greater.
Last night before W’s football game, there was a remembrance of 9/11. Several local first responders – fire, police, and paramedics lined the end zone during the pre-game ceremony and the playing of ‘The Star Spangled Banner.’ In the middle of the national anthem, several of them left to respond to a call. W’s team was crushed – 28-6.
I did several good deeds and I’ll continue today, tomorrow, and beyond. However, I am sure I will need a nudge from time to time, probably an occasional kick in the rear, too. Please feel free to provide a nudge, or even a kick when I need one.
Last spring, we visited to Washington D.C. On the trip home, we visited Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As we drove along the Pennsylvania Turnpike, B noticed a sign for Shanksville.
The name was familiar, but out of my consciousness in the middle of spring. Shanksville is the site of the fourth plane crash – Flight 93. We diverted for a side trip and visited. I’ll never forget the visit. I took the video below and shared it with my classes – my students spoke each name aloud. May their names and memories never be forgotten.
May we never forget, EVER.
Today is gonna be a great day, a million and six times SQUARED better than 9/11/2001. It’s gonna be full – O is at a band camp for the day, W plays in an hour, we’re going to a county fair this evening, and I have to grocery shop for ingredients for a birthday cake. There is always something. Doing good deeds daily and Making the Days Count, always.
Please share and pay it forward. Thank you.
Oh, by the way – I was back at the French Market early this morning. There are still five roses left from last week’s bouquet.