Last week marked the 25th anniversary of the horrifying terrorist attack on the United States, 19 hijackers in two planes hitting the twin towers in New York, a field in Pennsylvania when passengers attempted to overcome the hijackers, and the Pentagon. Many stories in the media recounted that gruesome episode in our history, when 2,977 people lost their lives.
I offer this disclaimer: I recognize people from many other countries read this blog and have had your own losses, some perhaps caused by the United States. This in no way is meant to minimize anyone else’s tragedies. Truly, this is intended to talk about the good that can be evidenced in times of disaster and distress.
This past September 11 the radio replayed the story of a fire chief who had been in the South Tower when it was collapsing. He and the firefighters under his command had rescued all those they could and were on their way out when it was apparent it was their last chance to escape. They headed down the stairway where they discovered an injured woman. She urged them to go on without her due to the severity of her injuries. But they began to help her down. It got to the point she could not walk at all. They carried her down to the fourth story when the final collapse occurred and they could go no further. It was dark but the chief could see one bit of smoke filled sky through the rubble and they dug their way out. The chief, those working with him and the injured woman all survived. But he grieved the toll he knew was bound to include so many, including nearly 300 firemen. In many families being a firefighter is part of a legacy and thus many lost multiple family members.
I cried, grieving yet again for that horrible day and its many consequences. Yet I recalled Fred Rogers of the famous children’s show Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood and his notable quote: “Look for the helpers.” I began to notice how many stories that followed that weekend were about people who responded quickly. After the Pentagon was hit, an on-site day care center workers were stymied how they could quickly get all the toddlers and bed babies to safety. A marine came by and asked what they needed, left. returning with about 40 marines who quickly mobilized to get the children out. They used the cribs to form a perimeter to enclose the toddlers to prevent their wandering off.
An army nurse escaped the rubble when the Pentagon was hit and quickly set up a triage area for the injured who were making their way out of the partially destroyed building. She had no equipment but was joined by a medic with a first aid bag and by people who simply showed up to see what they could do.
Yes, look for the helpers, wherever you live, in whatever conditions you may find yourselves. Seek to be the helpers whenever possible. May we be encouraged in our efforts by the words of Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Mexican-American writer, poet, psychoanalyst and trauma recovery specialist: “Ours is not the task of fixing all the world at once, but of stretching out to mend the part that is with our reach…One of the most calming and powerful things you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul. Soul on deck shines like gold in dark times….”
The invitation is open to share two cups of tea anytime at Hope’s Café or anywhere you share companionship and conversation.
May we be bearers of hope, the “wait staff” at Hope’s Café, for each other and all those we encounter. Shalom, Kate
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