An End to the 10th Anniversary
Remembrance Weekend for 9/11/01
I have been behind on posting here but sincerely hope that this can actually be a new beginning . . . I do enjoy every minute of it. Sunday evening was a joyous end to the weekend of honoring and remembering that tragic day when this nation rose up from the ashes of the fallen Twin Towers in NYC.
I went to Five Corners in Downtown to participate in the Closing Ceremony at Brockport's 911 Memorial. As I entered the crowd I noticed a man that I love dearly and don't see too often. It's amazing what a warm embrace from a loved one can do to lift your spirits, especially on the day we now call Patriot's Day (I Love You Cuz!).
Tonight, I'm feeling lucky for many reasons . . .
and here are four worth mentioning:
1 ~ I am an American who is honored to be alive and free. In the words of my dear friend Rick Nicholson, "I never knew a better time to live in..." from one of the hundreds of exceptional songs he has written.
2 ~ In an email from the Co-Founder of the Web Network 'Meet Up' this weekend, I learned that September 11, 2001 is the reason Meet Up was formed. In CEO Scott Heiferman's words, "Could we use the Internet to get off the Internet -- and grow local communities?" To build on that powerful sense of community this tragedy has created. Only one day before 911, when many Americans didn't even speak to their neighbors... and now complete strangers were looking out for one another.
Scott goes on to say, "Today, almost 10 years and 10 million Meet-uppers later, it's working. Every day, thousands of Meetups happen. Moms Meetups, Small Business Meetups, Fitness Meetups... a wild variety of 100,000 Meetup Groups with not much in common -- except one thing. It's a wonderful revolution in local community, and it's thanks to everyone who shows up."
Why is this important? In late August I started my own Meet Up group to dovetail with my business, and it's called, "WNY Healing Drum Circles". Saturday evening seven people showed up from as far away as Bloomfield and Gains for our FIRST gathering. (More on this precious endeavor will be forthcoming!)
"Sunset Splash"
3 ~ Brockport Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (BUUF) had a beautiful service this morning to mark the beginning of their third year together. People brought in small containers of water collected from special locations, and at one point we all gathered in the center isle. Each person took a turn recalling some memory, person, place or event that was cherished, and then poured some of their special water into a large vase. This act of combining water with others while sharing our blessings was a tremendous act of community that will warm my heart for years to come. The words I shared were, "I am blessed by my family in Peru! I fly over water to visit them. I love my Peruvian family!"
Afterward, we shared a pancake breakfast in the fellowship hall that seemed to cement the feelings of togetherness that blossomed from the day's events.
4 ~ Rick and I went immediately after the service to the Different Path Gallery on Market Street for the Sunday Jam Sessions that we all love so much. I didn't have my camera, or you would be seeing evidence of the joy those moments generate.
"Does this not sound like the full weekend of a very lucky man who should be counting his blessings?" I agree and I do... every day ! !
Here's more photos from the ceremony:
Brockport, and this GREAT Nation...
Honoring Our Pledge to Never Forget ! !
Sooner,
Jahmahn
;-/
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