Recently as I stood in line at the grocery store, the man in front of me and I both noticed the cover of a magazine celebrating the 30th anniversary of the death of Elvis. He made a comment that we all probably remember where we were when Elvis died. And I had to say that I didn't - but remembered exactly where I was when JFK was assassinated, John Lennon was murdered, the Challenger space shuttle crashed, Princess Diana died, and of course on 9/11.
Although I was a little young for Elvis at the height of his popularity, it seems I should have remembered when he died, and can only reconstruct that I was off camping and backpacking that summer, when you can easily stay distant from current events. I was a teenager when the Beatles phenomenon hit, and I know it changed my life in many ways. Maybe that's why I've been more greatly affected by milestones in their lives.
These events do color our lives, and years later even when we're not consciously aware of them, there remain strong bonds with those who shared the experience. A close friend of mine was sailing a section of the Northwest Passage in Canada on 9/11, headed back to Seattle. It was a few days afterwards that they learned what had happened, when they came ashore and Canadians offered sympathy to them as Americans.
Part of the nightmare of the 9/11 experience was watching as events unfolded, and having the realization sink in - both initially, and in the aftermath of non-stop media coverage. And I've often thought it couldn't have been the same for my friend whose awareness was delayed.
One of the most moving experiences for me during that time was watching a fundraising telethon for the victims and their families, called America: A Tribute to Heroes. For some reason I was flipping through channels, and everywhere I went, networks or cable, station after station was broadcasting the same thing. No agendas, no territories, no boundaries, no commercials, no egos, just an amazing show of solidarity and giving. Some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry were involved, and no one was introduced – they just showed up from locations all over the world and sang for the cause.
Whether tragic or joyous, these events do add an amazing richness to the fabric of our lives.
Jan...what a lovely posting. The country's solidarity following 9/11 was incredible to behold. Makes one wish that we could experience that on a daily basis without being pushed into it with a tragedy.
Franni
Posted by: Franni Ferrero | Monday, September 10, 2007 at 08:19 AM