I Like the Aisle Seat

It's a strange thing - over the past nine years, I've hardly noticed the anniversaries of 9-11 going by, with the exception of 2002, one year later.

For some reason, this year is different.  Over the last few days I've read a lot, watched a lot, and realized that my memories of that day are crystal clear, as I imagine they are for so many people.

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I personally did not lose anyone in the attacks.  My colleagues did.  But we all lost something that day.

Reading the stories and memories today, the ones that upset and disturb me the most are the stories of parents who lost their children.  Ten years ago, I don't think those stories were on my radar in the same way they are now.  The world my son will grow up in is one forever changed by the events of that day, and when I think about 9-11, I wonder what atrocities he will witness in his lifetime.  Will they be worse, more horrific?  I can't imagine it.  But then again, I never imagined that I would witness anything so horrific in my own life, not at age 25 in 2001 in the USA.

Because I can't just sit around and do nothing.

My sick kitty needs prayers.  He is in the hospital tonight and I'm scared.  They don't really know what exactly is wrong but he wouldn't eat and he might have some kind of infection, and some abnormal liver levels.  He's just shy of his 12th birthday, and if I lose him I don't know what I'll do.

Dear friends,

My friend Ryan S., a wonderful young tenor, was diagnosed with cancer (one of the lymphomas) earlier this year and underwent chemo. He was briefly in remission, but found out this week that his cancer is back.

He truly is one of the most delightful colleagues I've ever had and I am praying hard for him. He is truly a joy to be around both as a person and as a colleague. We met last summer in Santa Fe and also sang together in Cold Sassy Tree in Atlanta in February. He was supposed to enter the Lyric program in the spring but has been postponing it due to his treatment.

Might I ask for your prayers for Ryan if you are so moved?