I remember

10 years ago, at 8:46 AM I was on my way into work.  I believe I was listening to WAAF on my way to work and they just said there was a report of a plane hitting the World Trade Center.  I remember thinking, what idiot was drunk and hit the WTC with his little Cessna.  Little did I know what was about to happen.  I got into work and there were folks all huddled around the TV just around the corner from my cube and this was where I realized something was out of the ordinary.  See in 1993, I was either too young, or too unaware of what had happened.  I remember seeing the raid on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco and the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing, but I have no memories of the initial WTC bombing.  So after the second plane hit, I was glued to the TV just like many others sitting in my area.  I was scared, but who wasn’t?  No one knew what was happening, yet we all felt so close those it was happening to.

I never knew anyone who perished, but I knew of a few folks who had died and had been friends of friends and neighbors of friends.  Today, we watched on the TV as the 9/11 Memorial was unveiled and all the names of those who died in the towers were read.  I made it a point to keep listening until Kevin Szocik’s name was read.  I never knew Kevin, but I knew his brother, Brendan.  Kevin recently had a gate dedicated to him at my high school alma mater.  Kevin was only 27 years old.  Kevin lived in Garden City, NJ and worked in the South Tower.

So, Norah, what can I say to you.  This day, 10 years ago, has changed our lives forever.  Never did we know what was in store for us then.  Your mom and dad had some hard times after this day, but somehow, found each other again.  The powers of the internet and cell phones.  Tonight we tried to go and see the Tribute in Light, but the damn highway was backed up and it was past your bedtime.  I hope the lights from the cruiser along our route home outside of Memorial Park suited what you had in mind for what the lights you were going to see, were.  I’ll let the rest play out in response to the photos below…

May you never forget how much you like to say "cheese". Daddy will never forget how much he is overwhelmed by how much you love him.

Never forget, we are always here for you. To hold you, squeeze you, make you feel protected. Your mommy loves you more than anything, don't ever forget, or question her of that.

Gentle, with kitty and the rest of the world. You have always been an observer, never lose that. The world can swallow you up whole if you don't know where you want to go.

"Color" Everyone loves to make their mark on the world, I can't wait to see you make yours, but really, it doesn't have to be done, today.

Honestly, I tried to get this photo a few times as Hurricane Irene bared down on us. I'm so glad you love to play with light, you make my heart melt when you least expect it.

Be careful, no matter what you decide to do, please think it through.

Your parents will always tell you what you should do, but, you should always question what your parents tell you to do. I realize we'll be fighting you about this for years and years to come since we are always right!

At first you don't succeed, try and try again. Eventually you'll figure it out, you are too damn smart not to.

This is your, "I got it" moment. I've seen this enough already to know that this is when you have figured things out and decided to move on. Just remember, you'll always face challenges with varying obstacles and we're here for you.

Oh my, really? This is what you decide to do as Daddy is taking some snapshots... Ok, what the hell, do it while you can

See, those fleeting moments of just having fun are exactly that, but you need them, as much as we do. Never forget what you want and how to get it, just make the best choices for you to get there. Yes, we will still tell you how you should have done it, deal with it.