September 11th, 2023

This week I am in New York for my high school reunion. As everyone in the USA knows September 11 is a difficult day for many people.  I freely admit, as a Native New Yorker, it's almost surreal being in NY on this day. 

I've had a wonderful few days visiting with old friends, enjoying my favorite foods - for reasons I never understood (though some say it's the water - lol) why carrot cake in NY is better than carrot cake in TX.  There's simply no comparing pies baked in NY with baked goods back home. Tell me if this doesn't look scrumptious? And of course, being near the water means fresh seafood!  Never the same in land locked north Texas ! I was too busy eating the pizza to remember to take a photo! LOL. 

We scooted down to the Jersey Shore for a couple of days - the weather stopped us from taking out the boat - isn't the name the cutest! LOL.  But we did get in one beach day - also a challenge in landlocked north Texas ! Miss the nice white sand - we don't have that in Galveston.  But I most appreciate that these little pop up canopies are so popular to stay in the shade - so different from big floppy hats, tilted umbrellas, and towels on the shoulders! 

All of which brings me back to today - 9/11 - twenty two years later and the sadness is still so very heavy.  

Words are never enough. My heart breaks for all the people whose lives changed that day. My heart breaks for all the lessons we as a country had to learn the hard way. I still cry on this day remember my world on 9/10 and the difference on 9/12 - Our innocence as a nation, our sense of security as a super power, was stolen that day and can never be returned. 

For anyone who lost a loved one that day, for anyone who lives with surviving that day, for those whose heart and soul will never be whole again, my heart is with you this day and always.  It's important to remember that every day is a gift and we need to remember to let friends and family know how important they are to us.