Tag Archives: 2001

Stepping into the Light after 9-11

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“..the whole healing process – art, colors and design – all that makes a difference.” ~  Barbara Weaver

I was never more cognizant of art fulfilling it’s purpose than during the days following September 11, 2001. As much as I wanted to do all that I could to shield my eyes from the ugly images of destruction, rubble and death, I found myself glued to the television watching images I never expected to see in the United States of America.

Going to work each morning, following the horrific events of 9-11 gave me the opportunity to escape from a world of ugliness into a environment  filled with beauty and light. I had begun my employment at West Wind Fine Art, where my introduction into a career of order fulfillment for independent publishers began.

Not only was I surrounded by inspiring art books and videos, I was also amidst magnificent paintings by master artists. Each morning after 9-11, as I stepped into the art gallery, my place of work, I lingered a little longer in front of each painting so I could forget the images of the destruction of the Twin Towers, and into an environment of beautiful landscapes, floral images and portrait paintings that exquisitely captured faces without pain, fear and horror. At the end of the work day, I would do the same, stand and be drawn into worlds far different than what the media was charged with covering.

Art fulfilled it’s purpose by changing my perspective, it connected me with peace and set me free from my emotions of sadness and doom. It allowed me to replenish and nuture the seasons of my soul.

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Keeping Us Safe

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“Sometimes it takes risking that friendship to find a love that will endure all things.” ~  Unknown

The events of 9-11 are all so fresh in my mind. Early Saturday morning, I reached page 197 in former First Lady Laura Bush’s memoir “Speaking from the Heart.” Here begins Mrs. Bush’s recounting of all the tragic events of that horrific, fateful day.

On this 9th anniversary of  the senseless loss of thousands of Americans, I helped my fellow Kiwanians as they rescued, with nets and buckets, the majority of 2500 rubber ducks that were released and floated down the Yampa River in Steamboat Springs, CO. The Rubber Duckie Race is an annual fundraising event for the Yampa Valley Medical Center, which Kiwanis has been involved with for over twenty years now. www.kiwanis.org. This year’s proceeds will go toward purchasing a medical instrument which will detect infections, such as staph, of new patients prior to being admitted to the hospital. An important, pro-active medical device.

As I helped with this fundraiser from the sidelines, I began to think how taking pro-active steps saves lives. Had our country known just how vulnerable, we were to attack, it would have done all that it could to be pro-active on that fateful day. If  all the safety nets had been in place, perhaps several thousand lives could have been spared.

I opted to stay safely out of the waters , as I helped with this fundraising event on Saturday. I did not want to risk the chances of petite, little ole me, being carried down the rapidly rushing waters of the Yampa River. I wanted to stay safe to enjoy today. It is a day of celebration of two people who have survived the challenges  and risks of marriage for 30 years! My husband has been my safety through each and every day of it.  I am truly grateful for all that I have and feel sad for those that no longer can share anniversaries, holidays and daily living with their mates that were lost in the Twin Towers.

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