They are still reading off the names
on the television downstairs
of the souls that flew to the stars
on the 11th of September
twenty-five years ago.
I sit here at my table
with my own remembrance,
and what comes to mind
is the iconic image of twisted steel,
a recognizable symbol of undying hope
rising into the air amid the smoke from the fires . . .
hauntingly beautiful
against the backdrop
of agonizing death.
It was a day of horror and silence
in my little town . . .
the air on that gorgeous day in late summer
felt surreal upon my skin.
The tellers at the bank
had brought in a small television
to monitor what was happening,
and the usual greetings to customers
were chillingly absent.
But out of the ashes of that terrible day
an unexpected beauty emerged
in the hearts of people around the country . . .
we seemed to be kinder to one another,
more understanding,
more generous.
We all took the time;
we paused in our ‘normal’,
mindlessly lived days
and cared.
During the ceremonies going on downstairs
they are forgetting for a moment
the rage and thirst for revenge
that soon reared their heads above the lingering fires,
and the chant began
and grew louder
to go after the perpetrators of this terrible crime,
and we did,
with a vengeance.
I’d just like to go back for a moment
to the rainbow flags of unity
that appeared in peoples’ windows
that had spoken of love and unity . . .
that acknowledged that we were all One.
I would like
for that impulse to return
or to spring forward
with new life. ♥
Sparrow, I am so touched by your vivid description of what happened, and how it rippled out. Bless you for sharing your lens / sight and experience of it. Peace to you
Today, I find unexpected beauty in the way the community on my island comes together to help one another in the wake of hurricane Lowell. Today also marks the anniversary of hurricane Iniki which wrecked Kaua’i when I was a child– even as a kid, I was amazed at the same sense of community and aloha that I saw back then. Grateful that my family and friends and my home are safe. Grateful that some folks are coming to help clean up our farm, which sadly was destroyed. Grateful at the opportunity to rebuild and reset 💖
I am relieved to hear that you are safe,
dear Emmaleah . . .
and believe
that your community
knows all about coming together
and will help your family
restore your farm
with love . . . ♥
Today is the 25th anniversary of 9/11. It’s a day filled with meaning. I think of the passengers and crew of Flight 93 who gave their lives so that others might live. I think of all the first responders who willingly did their best to save lives. But many of them lost their lives in their attempts to do so. I think of all the military and civilians who have died in wars in the Middle East since 9/11. We are still in the Middle East trying to solve a problem with bombs. I think of Pete Seeger’s song, “Where have all the flowers gone? Today’s question also asks, Where have I found unexpected beauty. I find it daily on this site. The willingness to share, the vulnerability to care even for folks we’ve never met but through conversation we know.
Spending time @ a beautiful garden recently.
Watching the bees, dragonflies, & butterflies going from one flower to the next having a good ‘ole time. Seeing lots & lots of monarch butterflies as well.
The vibrant colors of the flowers against a blue, blue sky took my breath away.
It was a perfectly beautiful day. 😊
Thankful I was able to enjoy this work of art.
🌸🌻🦋🌼🌺
The other night, i was laying in bed reading. I turned down the light and saw it cast a shadow on the wall. My cat was laying with me and noticed these shadows. Her cute reactions to the shadows had me making hand shadows for her to watch for about 10 minutes. This simple interaction reminded me of the wonders and beauty of everything and that to be alive, in any way, is the meaning of everything.
Twice now in the past couple of weeks my husband and I have walked to our local bakery about 3/4 of a mile away. The sidewalk is lined with native rosebushes in a couple of spots. They’ve had beautiful rosehips for weeks that set me wondering about rosehip jelly and whether I could knock on the door and ask if I could harvest them after the first frost.
On one of these trips I was surprised to spot one white blossom, long after blooming season is over for these bushes. Such a sweet scent! Hothouse roses bred for looks can’t come near this.
Then on the second trip, a bright pink blossom on another bush. Another late bloomer! Equally sweet in scent.
In a similar vein, the raspberry canes produced very little in the spring crop, but the fall crop is more bountiful every day. I pick and eat fresh raspberries right off the bush and have a small bowl with a meal or as a snack.
The meaning I take from all of these is that we may think something has passed its peak and yet there may still be life and sweetness. Taking the time to stop and appreciate that sweetness adds delight to my day.
I joined a choir of 30-40 people. The sound of harmonies are beautiful. Three middle-aged singers come with their fathers, who sing in the baritone section. I find that familial bond and shared experience meaningful. I find it meaningful that you can get that many people in a room with a common purpose, and create beauty together. There’s a nonverbal, physical aspect to it, a sense of collective bonding, joy, and fun.
Last weekend, we visited the home of some family friends, who are friends of my parents-in-law. There, I discovered an unexpected kind of beauty. It was not simply the beauty of their garden, where they grow vegetables, or the way they decorated their home. Rather, their sons were the true source of beauty and meaning.
It is unusual to see adult sons supporting their parents so actively when guests come to visit. More often, we see daughters helping with preparations and hosting duties. However, these young men were incredibly supportive. They helped their mother with cooking, decorating the house, gardening, and even preparing a musical performance.
I spent some time talking with their mother, and I felt happy for her. I could sense how proud she was of her sons. The family has four sons and no daughters. On their mother’s birthday, the sons even secretly organized a birthday party for her.
What a beautiful example of love, gratitude, and family support.
Yesterday on our travels. We saw areas where the southwest summer monsoon clouds released enough rain to make the grasses green up and refilled stock ponds. Truly unexpected beauty. The resilience of the earth. The joy I felt for all the beings that survive on that forage, from the rodents, rabbits to the deer, pronghorns and the predators that survive on them. The circle of life. Renewed and refreshed.
Peace, Love & Light.
I like the way you think about forage, Joseph, and all the creatures surviving on it. It’s a perspective I’ve not had. I’m going to start seeing grasses anew.
Drea, if you ever have the opportunity to travel through the grasslands of America, take it. I believe we even have « National » grasslands. They are exquisite in their own right.🌸
I did see the ones at the S. Dakota Badlands–gave me an idea of the biodiversity and beauty of the original grasslands! I didn’t know there were that many left, I’ll have to look them up on my travels.
On Thursday I drove by acres and acres of Nebraska field corn. The shades of golden hues with variations in greens with touches of copper on the leaves was a majestic sight. Breathe taking. This felt like Americana standing tall on the eve of the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Humbling being in this presence. I saw fields of eucharist / food, in a very different form for a spiritually starved world. Prayers in memory of those passed this day, for those still grieving, and all of us still healing. 🙏🏼☮️🕯️
Carla, I remember being in 4th grade. What started out as a normal day turned into a day of watching the 9-11 attack. It was one of those rare days of no recess.
Lov Tran, and I was here in Omaha with my mom, after her brother, my Uncle Ken died. It’s a mix of sad memories to be here 25 years later. I stand alone. There’s a display of flags at the Memorial Park that I will go and see.
I have found unexpected beauty with my root people. I’ve been more socialable at family gatherings and with my mom’s group of friends. Outgrowing my old ways of rebellion and defiance towards Paw Mu has helped me feel more comfortable interacting with them.
Neighborhood cats. Neighbor behind me has an orange cat I named Garfield. I started feeding him awhile ago. He makes me happy when I see him… although today I was awoken by loud cat fight, ugh.
TGIF 🙂
I will light a candle on this site in remembrance of 9/11.
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I didn’t think the beach here would be so nice, but it is really nice and I spend a lot of hours here.
They are still reading off the names
on the television downstairs
of the souls that flew to the stars
on the 11th of September
twenty-five years ago.
I sit here at my table
with my own remembrance,
and what comes to mind
is the iconic image of twisted steel,
a recognizable symbol of undying hope
rising into the air amid the smoke from the fires . . .
hauntingly beautiful
against the backdrop
of agonizing death.
It was a day of horror and silence
in my little town . . .
the air on that gorgeous day in late summer
felt surreal upon my skin.
The tellers at the bank
had brought in a small television
to monitor what was happening,
and the usual greetings to customers
were chillingly absent.
But out of the ashes of that terrible day
an unexpected beauty emerged
in the hearts of people around the country . . .
we seemed to be kinder to one another,
more understanding,
more generous.
We all took the time;
we paused in our ‘normal’,
mindlessly lived days
and cared.
During the ceremonies going on downstairs
they are forgetting for a moment
the rage and thirst for revenge
that soon reared their heads above the lingering fires,
and the chant began
and grew louder
to go after the perpetrators of this terrible crime,
and we did,
with a vengeance.
I’d just like to go back for a moment
to the rainbow flags of unity
that appeared in peoples’ windows
that had spoken of love and unity . . .
that acknowledged that we were all One.
I would like
for that impulse to return
or to spring forward
with new life. ♥
Sparrow, I am so touched by your vivid description of what happened, and how it rippled out. Bless you for sharing your lens / sight and experience of it. Peace to you
Peace to you as well,
dear Carla . . . ♥
Today, I find unexpected beauty in the way the community on my island comes together to help one another in the wake of hurricane Lowell. Today also marks the anniversary of hurricane Iniki which wrecked Kaua’i when I was a child– even as a kid, I was amazed at the same sense of community and aloha that I saw back then. Grateful that my family and friends and my home are safe. Grateful that some folks are coming to help clean up our farm, which sadly was destroyed. Grateful at the opportunity to rebuild and reset 💖
I’m glad you are safe – I’m sorry your farm was destroyed. Your positivity about Community, rebuilding and resetting I’m sure is spreading.
That is so positive. I am glad you are experiencing that community spirit.
Wishing you much friendship and ease as you rebuild, Emmaleah.
Glad for you Emmaleah and loved ones, that you all are safe. May your farm re-flourish under your loving labor.
I am relieved to hear that you are safe,
dear Emmaleah . . .
and believe
that your community
knows all about coming together
and will help your family
restore your farm
with love . . . ♥
Today is the 25th anniversary of 9/11. It’s a day filled with meaning. I think of the passengers and crew of Flight 93 who gave their lives so that others might live. I think of all the first responders who willingly did their best to save lives. But many of them lost their lives in their attempts to do so. I think of all the military and civilians who have died in wars in the Middle East since 9/11. We are still in the Middle East trying to solve a problem with bombs. I think of Pete Seeger’s song, “Where have all the flowers gone? Today’s question also asks, Where have I found unexpected beauty. I find it daily on this site. The willingness to share, the vulnerability to care even for folks we’ve never met but through conversation we know.
💗
Thank you.
((( ♥ )))
Spending time @ a beautiful garden recently.
Watching the bees, dragonflies, & butterflies going from one flower to the next having a good ‘ole time. Seeing lots & lots of monarch butterflies as well.
The vibrant colors of the flowers against a blue, blue sky took my breath away.
It was a perfectly beautiful day. 😊
Thankful I was able to enjoy this work of art.
🌸🌻🦋🌼🌺
Blessings to All affected by 9/11/2001.
🙏🏻🕯️✨🙏🏻❤️
The other night, i was laying in bed reading. I turned down the light and saw it cast a shadow on the wall. My cat was laying with me and noticed these shadows. Her cute reactions to the shadows had me making hand shadows for her to watch for about 10 minutes. This simple interaction reminded me of the wonders and beauty of everything and that to be alive, in any way, is the meaning of everything.
It does seem so simple,
dear Liz . . .
the shadow play with a cat,
it does indeed contain
the meaning of everything
in its simplicity. ♥
Twice now in the past couple of weeks my husband and I have walked to our local bakery about 3/4 of a mile away. The sidewalk is lined with native rosebushes in a couple of spots. They’ve had beautiful rosehips for weeks that set me wondering about rosehip jelly and whether I could knock on the door and ask if I could harvest them after the first frost.
On one of these trips I was surprised to spot one white blossom, long after blooming season is over for these bushes. Such a sweet scent! Hothouse roses bred for looks can’t come near this.
Then on the second trip, a bright pink blossom on another bush. Another late bloomer! Equally sweet in scent.
In a similar vein, the raspberry canes produced very little in the spring crop, but the fall crop is more bountiful every day. I pick and eat fresh raspberries right off the bush and have a small bowl with a meal or as a snack.
The meaning I take from all of these is that we may think something has passed its peak and yet there may still be life and sweetness. Taking the time to stop and appreciate that sweetness adds delight to my day.
This makes me think of a poem I wrote in 2024, when fall raspberries again gifted me with surprise bounty. https://biketoworkbarb.blogspot.com/2025/02/sweet-harvest.html
Thant was nice Barb. Thank you.
I love your poem Barb. Thanks for sharing it.
Thank you so much, Carol Ann!
Thank you for sharing this lovely poem,
dear Barb,
and for your thoughts
on finding sweetness and beauty
long after we think it is gone. ♥
Thank you, Sparrow!
I joined a choir of 30-40 people. The sound of harmonies are beautiful. Three middle-aged singers come with their fathers, who sing in the baritone section. I find that familial bond and shared experience meaningful. I find it meaningful that you can get that many people in a room with a common purpose, and create beauty together. There’s a nonverbal, physical aspect to it, a sense of collective bonding, joy, and fun.
Drea, We need more of that kind of bonding…I do find it here in this community of seekers.
Me too, Carol. This group helps me every day.
I find beauty all around me.
Meaning is harder to come by.
The kind and supportive words and gestures of family and friends that are supporting me in a medical journey.
Peace to you, Yram.🌸
Blessings to you,
dear Yram
on this journey . . . ♥
Last weekend, we visited the home of some family friends, who are friends of my parents-in-law. There, I discovered an unexpected kind of beauty. It was not simply the beauty of their garden, where they grow vegetables, or the way they decorated their home. Rather, their sons were the true source of beauty and meaning.
It is unusual to see adult sons supporting their parents so actively when guests come to visit. More often, we see daughters helping with preparations and hosting duties. However, these young men were incredibly supportive. They helped their mother with cooking, decorating the house, gardening, and even preparing a musical performance.
I spent some time talking with their mother, and I felt happy for her. I could sense how proud she was of her sons. The family has four sons and no daughters. On their mother’s birthday, the sons even secretly organized a birthday party for her.
What a beautiful example of love, gratitude, and family support.
I agree with all the others – this is beautiful, thank you for sharing.
What a lovely thing,
dear Ngoc . . .
I’m happy you were there
to experience it for yourself. ♥
NGOC, Thanks for sharing this. 🙂
That is beautiful, Ngoc.
I love this. Thank you for sharing it.
My Ngoc, that is rare. That party was fun.
Yesterday on our travels. We saw areas where the southwest summer monsoon clouds released enough rain to make the grasses green up and refilled stock ponds. Truly unexpected beauty. The resilience of the earth. The joy I felt for all the beings that survive on that forage, from the rodents, rabbits to the deer, pronghorns and the predators that survive on them. The circle of life. Renewed and refreshed.
Peace, Love & Light.
“Renewed and refreshed” 💙💚.
‘The Circle of Life’
indeed,
dear Joseph . . .
we are all a part of it,
and being able to connect with this truth
is a Gift beyond measure. ♥
I like the way you think about forage, Joseph, and all the creatures surviving on it. It’s a perspective I’ve not had. I’m going to start seeing grasses anew.
Drea, if you ever have the opportunity to travel through the grasslands of America, take it. I believe we even have « National » grasslands. They are exquisite in their own right.🌸
I did see the ones at the S. Dakota Badlands–gave me an idea of the biodiversity and beauty of the original grasslands! I didn’t know there were that many left, I’ll have to look them up on my travels.
On Thursday I drove by acres and acres of Nebraska field corn. The shades of golden hues with variations in greens with touches of copper on the leaves was a majestic sight. Breathe taking. This felt like Americana standing tall on the eve of the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Humbling being in this presence. I saw fields of eucharist / food, in a very different form for a spiritually starved world. Prayers in memory of those passed this day, for those still grieving, and all of us still healing. 🙏🏼☮️🕯️
Thanks for sharing, Carla. Your post gives me hope.
Carla, I remember being in 4th grade. What started out as a normal day turned into a day of watching the 9-11 attack. It was one of those rare days of no recess.
Lov Tran, and I was here in Omaha with my mom, after her brother, my Uncle Ken died. It’s a mix of sad memories to be here 25 years later. I stand alone. There’s a display of flags at the Memorial Park that I will go and see.
I have found unexpected beauty with my root people. I’ve been more socialable at family gatherings and with my mom’s group of friends. Outgrowing my old ways of rebellion and defiance towards Paw Mu has helped me feel more comfortable interacting with them.
Neighborhood cats. Neighbor behind me has an orange cat I named Garfield. I started feeding him awhile ago. He makes me happy when I see him… although today I was awoken by loud cat fight, ugh.
TGIF 🙂
I will light a candle on this site in remembrance of 9/11.
🕯️
🕯️🙏🏻