A thought for today

Sunday, September 11, 2011

I'm sitting watching the coverage of the 9/11 tribute today and felt moved to say a few words. I have no specific connection to New York, I didnt' know anyone in the attacks, like millions of others I can remember watching the footage of the attacks 10 years ago and exactly where I was at the time, in the pharmacy of Great Ormond Strret hospital after a routine clinic visit. I can also remember the attacks in London years later and how much it upset me to see albeit on a smaller scale the devastaion of seeing a capital I have such pride in coming under attack.

Last week I posted on twitter that watching Saturday night tv, with people competing to win a million pounds and find fame on the X factor, made me sad to see people placing such high value on money and notoriety. Face after face told the cameras how they wanted the perfect bodies, designer clothes, big houses, new cars, or worst of all to find love interests, or supposed happiness if they won the big prize; as though money could buy them the important things in life.

Watching the 9/11 stories, I don't hear tales of the people in the towers rushing back to save their designer bags or worrying that their clothes were ruined, I don't think the people running for their lives were mourning the chance to ride their posh cars again and in their last moments rued the thought of never withdrawing cash from the bank again. Instead in their last moments they remembered those who loved them, spent final moments phoning home to make sure their relatives knew they were loved dearly and desperate for the chance to kiss or hold them once again. The thousands gathering to pay tribute and all the sadness and tears shed are for people not possessions. These are the things that really matter, they are the only things that count. Happy memories, are all we leave behind and every minute that passes is a chance to make those memories and show how much you love those that matter.

9/11 is just one example of these values that we should learn from. I'm no saint and often (especially right now) struggle to find light in these dark days but I do try to remember what counts.No matter how bad things are we still have today, we are lucky. God bless those who have gone and those left behind.

xxxxx

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12 comments

  1. Tor, you put it so eloquently. Somtimes it takes events like these to realise what our true values should be. xx

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  2. Very well said. Brought a tear to my eye xx

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  3. This is uncommon wisdom from such a young person. Thank you for this true and generous post, dear Victoria.

    "Whoso findeth me [Wisdom] findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD." - Proverbs 8:35

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  4. Thank you for taking the time to write this. You have made a difference to me, and indirectly, to my family. I appreciate your generosity, and I wish you well.

    Mike

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  5. This is just amazing, and I could not have written it better! You have such a gift and so much to offer this world! Waiting with you for the call that will enable you to start life anew!!

    {{Hugs}}

    Mikey's mum

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  6. Reading this has brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for such a sane perspective.

    Joy x

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  7. Amen. You see the worth of real things.

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  8. I have been reading your blog for a while but I have never posted before. This post has really touched me - so well said. I admire your strength and I sincerely hope you get the transplant.

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  9. Hunny this is such a poignant piece and so apt. I agree with you totally and is why I find it hard to watch these programmes because it perpetuates this ideal of wealth=happiness. This is a wonderful reflection-i hope many of your readers take the time to read it :-) Hoping u are keeping as well as u can? xxxx

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  10. You have increadible strength to write things like this - and to do so with such eloquence is a real gift.

    I trust you will find the inner strength to keep going through the bad times - and keep up hope.

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  11. This is beautiful. Thank you. You've put into a few quiet words what I've always believed but could never articulate this perfectly.

    --a reader from Nebraska, USA

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  12. You have a very nice and personable blog Tor, when you have the time - check out my site - http://www.comicbookandmoviereviews.com/ - as I have a feeling that you may like it.

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