9/11 Memories

Six years ago today we were in shock. Our world changed, and it will never be the same. A friend's husband was in a building attached to the twin towers and his building went down too. But fortunately he escaped. Yet before we knew that, we all prayed and waited.

Such a sad, sad day.

Today I attended a workshop on Vicarious Traumatization--how helpers and caregivers get traumatized even though they weren't at the original event, and what to do about it. It turned into more of a group therapy session than a workshop, but was very helpful. Every day we see staff members struggling. Some of them are hurricane survivors too, but still help others. They are great.

Yet, I often talk to individuals and am struck by how fragile we are, as well as how resilient and strong. I know it sounds like a contradiction but that's what I see. People are on the edge, yet they continue to do excellent work.

4/16 In Albuquerque, NM

It's just as cold here as it is in Biloxi but should be 70 tomorrow. That'll be nice. Back home there were horrible thunderstorms on the Gulf Coast.

Great to be here but the timing is bad. Wish I was back home--with all the stacked up boxes and my little puppy. It was hard taking Quincy to the kennel for a few nights, but it had to be done. I acted like it didn't bother me so she wouldn't sense I was upset. As it was, she happily went with the tech. Just like sending your kids to kindergarten for the first day.

What a blessing to be in my own home!!!! A new washer and dryer are being delivered on Friday and I hope to have some guys out to give me an estimate on the fence. Then I need some yard work done--and fire ant hills removed, but after that I'll need to stop spending. At least until something else pops up.

And to the world news...it's unfathomable how humans injure humans. 33 people dead and we'll never know why. I have a feeling someone at this conference will address the issue. And I wouldn't be surprised if some attendees left to help deal with the aftermath of the tragedy. This conference is NVOAD--National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.