I Will Remember You

Today is the 7th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.

It's hard to believe it's been 7 years. Life has changed so much since that day. We got married 4 days after the attacks on Long Island. It was such a chaotic time.

The attacks occurred on a Tuesday. It was my last day at work before we were heading up to LI for the wedding. I was finishing up some training for our new employee, Russ, who I didn't know very well at the time, but later he and his wife, Erika, became very good friends. We were in the lab, with our radio playing, when our boss came in to take our radio out. We had no idea what was going on and we thought we were in trouble for playing the radio too loud. That's when our boss told us what happened. At that point, the first plane had hit the first tower and nothing else had happened yet.

We ran to our desks to see what was going on. Shortly after the second plane hit and then the plane hit the Pentagon. Being in Maryland, we weren't anywhere near the Pentagon, but living in the Washington DC area makes you feel vulnerable nonetheless. My brother called and emailed shortly after the Pentagon was hit. I spoke with John shortly after that. They were all watching the news on the big screen in one of the buildings on campus. I was able to get in touch with my dad and everyone in my immediate family was fine. I can remember that feeling of helplessness because my entire family lives in NY and CT, so I just felt so far away from them.

The rest of the day was mainly filled with trying to get through to friends in NY. The phone lines were tied up for most of the day, so it was difficult to get through. But eventually hearing everyone's voice was very soothing.

We left for NY the next day, which was planned. The way we normally go to LI is by crossing the Verranzo bridge into Brooklyn. This passes the lower part of Manhattan, which is where the attacks were. All the bridges and tunnels were closed except for the Tappen Zee, which is on the other side of the island (of Manhattan). So, as we crossed the bridge, we could see the smoke plumes on the other side of the island. It was a sunny morning, but there was a huge black cloud that hung over Manhattan. Both literally and figuratively.

Once we got to my parents' house, we felt better being with them. We had the final things to do for the wedding, but none of us really felt like doing anything. We really didn't know if having the wedding was the right thing to do. Many of our guests couldn't come due to the airports being closed. And the guests that could come, would they feel like it?

During a crying spell of not knowing what to do, my mom said to me that having our wedding was the purest form of unity. This is what people need right now, to celebrate the beginning of something and to celebrate love. It made sense but I still wasn't sure.

Well, obviously, we got married. And it was a beautiful day and a beautiful night. Everyone just let loose and had a great time. So many people thanked us for giving them a distraction and something to look forward to. We were truly grateful for everyone being there.

So, I apologize for being a downer two days in a row. But don't just think of this day as a sad day. But rather a day to love your family and friends. A day to be grateful for life and love. Remember those that were lost and honor them by moving forward.

With A Little Help From My Friends

Earlier this year, Wilhelmina Bell-Taylor, the Founder and President of the company I work for (BETAH Associates, Inc.), passed away. While I didn't have the chance to meet her, I have since learned that Wilhelmina was truly an extraordinary person. She faced numerous problems with her health, with being diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease when she was 19, then experiencing congestive heart failure, then developing lung cancer in 2004, which ultimately took her life. Wilhelmina was never a smoker, so the fact that she died from lung cancer is terribly tragic. Through all of these troubles, Wilhemina still managed to raise a daughter as a single mother, finish her education, start her career, and ultimately start the business that would become BETAH in her home.

While Wilhelmina could never be replaced, her daugher, Michelle Taylor, has taken on the role of President and CEO of the company. Michelle is truly an example of how to take tragedy and turn it into a positive situation. She is now taking on the role of 5K race organizer.

This is where you all come in. Michelle is putting on a 5K Run/Walk for Lung Life next April. The actual name hasn't been decided yet, but the race will be held in honor and memory of Wilhelmina. It will also serve as a vehicle to raise awareness on lung cancer. She has enlisted a number of us with race planning and running experience to help her get this off the ground. But you don't have to be a runner to help set something like this up. We need people with experience in budget development, fundraising, securing sponsorship, graphics, media relations, marketing and promotion.

I think this is a great opportunity to not only bring a new race to the streets of Mongtomery County, but honor the life and memory of a great woman.

If anyone is interested in serving on a committee to help plan, let me know and I'll give you the info you need. If you want to just be kept in mind to volunteer on race day, that's great! Just let me know.