No Guarantee

We tend to go through life day by day; often mindless of the little things that happen.  We are quick to anger; slow to forgive and even rarer still do we remember that there is no guarantee of tomorrow.

We should have hope for tomorrow, but we should also LIVE knowing that we don't know what will happen; that what we expect in the next day, hour or even minute is not guaranteed.

Seventeen years ago, many of us were going through our daily lives as we do every day.  Getting ready for work.  Walking the kids to school.  Grocery shopping.  Doing everyday things and not thinking.  And then, everything changed.

Or did it?

Perhaps it changed, perhaps WE changed for a while.  We were more caring.  We are more compassionate.  There was some anger, but there was also brother/sisterhood.  We stood by one another.  We worked together.  We mourned together.  We were NOT united as a country, we were UNITED as a WORLD.  (Yes, I realize there were exceptions to that, but I am focusing on the majority.)

Here we are seventeen years later.  A lifetime for some; seconds for others.

As we remember and memorialize today; let us NOT forget that tomorrow is NOT promised.  That the people whose names will be called out today in solemn ceremony did not have a tomorrow.  They certainly could not expect that on a sunny Tuesday morning in September that the end was near.  Their families, loved ones and friends certainly could not have imagined...

So on this day, let us not forget that there is not guarantee for tomorrow and with that in mind, let us treat each other with care and compassion.  Let this be the day that you smile at a stranger.  Let it be the day you forgive.  Let today be the day that you do an act of kindness; be it for someone you love or a total stranger.  Today, do not be afraid to tell someone you love them.  Give hugs.  Hold a hand.  Be present.  Do it in memory of those who are not able to do so.

For those who survived and for those who endured the horrors, let us not forget them.  For though we may have lost many, there were even more who risked their own lives to try and save others.  Those who day after day and week after week worked in conditions that were dangerous.  (How could we know how dangerous it was?)  Those who lived and worked in the area and tried to maintain some sense of normalcy.  For those who gave and continued to give, today is a perfect day to give back; to pay it forward.  Why not honor them by giving blood, donating to a food bank (be it your time or your money), visiting someone who is ill or giving to your favorite charity.  (I will shamelessly put in a plug for a personal favorite of mine:  The American Foundation For Suicide Prevention.  My family and I support this organization every year and participate in our local Out of the Darkness walk to raise awareness and money.  Should you wish to support us and this worthwhile cause please visit:  https://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=1532464  ) 

Do SOMETHING today to honor the fallen and those who are left behind.  Speak with compassion.  Show your love.  Care.  Remember, the moment is yours; tomorrow is not guaranteed.