The day 9-11 was no longer just an emergency call

8 years ago, the numbers 9-1-1 were forever branded into our memories.

We all remember where we were, what we were doing and who we were with. We remember watching in disbelief. We remember comforting and being comforted. We remember Fear, Rage and Loss. We each remember different, but equally vivid images of the day. We remember a city in dust. We remember the words “Let’s Roll!” and when those courageous men and women took down flight 93 in a Pennsylvania field, we all asked ourselves “Would I have been so brave?” We remember the desperate, fighting off reality in hopes that somehow, somewhere, their husband, wife, father, sister, friend would emerge from the ashes. We remember the eerie silence of skies void of air traffic. We remember calling someone, just to say “I love you”. We remember that hug, the first one from our child, mother, spouse, boyfriend, brother when we saw them for the first time after the towers fell and we remember the heroes and their tireless, selfless efforts to save someone they’ve never met. We remember being inspired. Most importantly, we remember. Shall we never forget.

10 days after 9/11, there was a really amazing benefit concert called “America, a Tribute to Heroes”. Set in empty soundstages on each coast and a remote broadcast from London, a collection of actors and musicians performed live, un-rehearsed for 2 hours, commercial free on all networks. The benefit raised $30 million.

Click on the title of this post to see my favorite performance of the event. It lives on my iPod and the chills I get when I see or hear this performance are as intense today as they were on 9/21/01. I hope they never go away.

Appreciate one another, celebrate, inspire and create new memories everyday. It’ll make for a pretty full life.