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Sympathies and prayers for all those that have been touched by the tragedy to our nation, the attack on our freedoms and the destruction on the World Trade Center, Flight 93 and Pentagon buildings:

In Memory of the Victims of 911 Day

A lesson for those still living

By Susan Ibarra

You woke to ready yourself for work at 5:30 am. You let me sleep. And off you went. On your way to the office, just as you always do. Had I known that when you left, you would never return to me, I would have stayed up all night with you…

A quick peck and a wave that I’d see you later, as I ran to catch the early bus. Had I known that you would not be there later, I would have kissed you hard and held you even longer…

To think that we would always have tomorrow while today we soured over petty gripes. Never realizing our moments were fleeting. If only there was one more chance to celebrate…

I’ll spend some quality time with the kids this weekend…but I have to work on my report first. If yesterday were mine to do all over again, I’d laugh and play with my kids first. Because where I am now, there are no weekends anymore…

I’m sorry I quarreled with you when your parents were coming for a visit. I should have been more gracious and will be from now on. They will be out here again this weekend…to eulogize your memory…

“We’re on a budget!” “We can’t afford for you to have such a luxury now.” “I’ll get it for you in a few months…” How sorry I am that I did not find a way for you to have that piece you so cherished. I am forever sorry because I will never be able to have a memory of you enjoying it when you were alive, even for just a little while…

I sorted through the hamper today. In it I found your yard shirt all stained with grass, still pungent with sweat. The essence of you is alive and current. It seems that you have only left the room to shower and change. Instead you have passed from this world and me, forever…

We liked to watch ‘reality TV‘ eating snacks in bed, playing footsies under the covers, grappling for the remote control. Now the broadcasts are very real. I have not been able to eat in days. You are not here to play with me. I am remote and I feel like I have no control…

As we remember the terror and tragedy of 9/11 and the terror strikes against America and her interests throughout the last 35 years, let us never forget that as

Americans something in all of us died that day.

Remember to appreciate life and live it to its fullest. Embrace your family, friends and colleagues.

Stand United. Demand justice. Pray for peace and God Bless America.