Saturday was September 11, 2010 and of course, the first thing that comes to mind for almost anyone is the tragic events of the twin towers coming down in New York City as well as the planes crashing into the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and in Shanksville, PA. However, I believe that we each have our own personal stories of what 9-11 means to us. When my son called yesterday morning to say hi and catch up, we spoke of 9-11 and he reminded me that nine years ago on this day at approximately the same time the first tower came down, he was getting his driver's license. I reminded him that 28 years ago on this day his dad and I got married. A little later in the day my daughter called to say hi and she reminded me that last year on this day, her future father-in-law was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was in a hospice home when she and her husband got married only two months after his diagnosis, and passed on only a few short weeks after.
I share these stories as a reminder that 9-11 can mean different things to different people. As I was reflecting upon the past 28 years, I was reminded of the amount of healing that has taken place in our family. Healing is not always an easy path, but if you are willing to embark on its journey, the rewards can be numerous. Sean and Angie have experienced much joy, pain, laughter and sadness during the past 24 and 25 years of their lives. Through the ups and downs of marriages, divorces, births, deaths, cancer, diabetes, addiction -- and the list could go on and on -- Bob and I have both loved our children unconditionally. No matter what was going on in our own personal lives, we chose to put Sean and Angie above all else and remind them always that we were their mom and dad and we loved them unconditionally.
When I got off the phone with Sean and Angie, I decided to give Bob a call and ask for permission and support to share our story of unconditional love. He agreed and then I asked to speak to his wife, Bonnie, who has loved our children as her own. What most stands out in my mind after speaking to Bob is our discussion about the careers that Sean and Angie have chosen. Recently Sean has been promoted to manager of a Future Shop (Best Buy). When Bob and I met he was manager of a Radio Shack. Angie has recently secured a position as a resident assistant at an assisted living facility. Shortly after Sean's birth, we opened two assisted living facilities and when Angie was born we brought her home from the hospital and took her to visit the residents at the assisted living facility. Life truly does come full circle in more ways than we can imagine.
The attached video opens with Bob, Sean, Angie and I together shortly after Angie's birth and it closes with Bob, Sean, Angie and I and all our extended family together at her wedding. We have come full circle as a family and the main theme throughout our lives has been unconditional love. So, I invite you to read the words of the song that accompanies the video and think about the little feet of your children and all the children in the world. The music for the video is written and sung by a dear friend, Quito Rymer, from Tortola, British Virgin Islands. He wrote it for his son and daughter when they were little children.
Little Feet
I am amused and amazed by the sound of four little feet running around. Pick one up and the other one comes Daddy (Mommy) please put him (her) down it's now my turn.
Little feet, little feet watch where you go, cause many are the dangers, many are the woes. Little feet, little feet watch where you roam and don't stray too far from your home, oh little feet. Precious children, what a joy they are. Oh, little children, what a blessing they are.
A child is one of God's greatest gifts to mankind. We must teach them well so they might grow up to be respectful, kind and gentle and lovers of humanity and when time gets rough for them in this old mixed up world, hold on, don't let go of that little seed of love that was planted so long ago. With attention, water it and it will surely grow. We must stand by them, of course, we cannot let that old devil have our children. No, no.
Little feet, little feet watch where you go, cause many are the dangers, many are the woes. Little feet, little feet watch where you roam and don't stray too far from your home, oh little feet. Precious children, what a joy they are. Oh, little children, what a blessing they are.
With love, light and hope,
Trina