Dahlia ‘Hypnotica’

9/11.  Thirteen years ago, it was just another date on the calendar.  That changed for the world on September 11, 2001. I’ve struggled all day to find words to share, but they all sound trite.

Many of us wake up on the morning of September 11th and remember those early hours of fear, and disbelief.  Though I live in California, the destination of all four planes that crashed that day, I didn’t lose a friend, a family member or a colleague.  I was fortunate.

But we all felt the collective sadness and fear that swept through this nation in those early days and weeks.

Today is a day of service and remembrance.  I’ve tried to come up with something meaningful, but didn’t do an adequate job planning for the day.  If I had, I would have picked a day of service activity.  I’ll do better next year.  Today I planted a bright yellow ‘Hypnotica’ Dahlia as a remembrance.  We’re a collective planet warmed by the yellow sun.  These warm yellow flowers give me hope while honoring lives lost.  I placed the Dahlia curbside in a muted green pot for passersby to enjoy.

I donated to the American Red Cross fund in lieu of service. The:

“American Red Cross exists to provide compassionate care to those in need. Our network of generous donors, volunteers and employees share a mission of preventing and relieving suffering, here at home and around the world, through five key service areas: disaster relief, supporting military families, lifesaving blood, health and safety services and international humanity services.”

9/11 Remembrance

I’m also planning a random act of anonymous kindness before the day ends. People often joke about this, but I believe in my heart of hearts that if we all practiced individual acts of kindness, it would go far in improving all our lives.

Sending love and hope back out to the universe.