9/11/2007

Rather than looking back and reliving the past of six years ago today, I have worked to move forward and make the world better in some small way. It's an admirable thing to remember those who lost their lives on that day, and to realize that in many ways the world is changed forever. I will contend however that - in remembrance of those who left this world before us - we should help make the world better for those of us who are still here.

9/11 was a driving factor for me in bringing Bikes For Tykes of Puget Sound to life. That evening I sat in the backyard and stared at the sky, hearing nothing. There were no planes. No helicopters. The sky was mechanically silent for the first time in decades. It's a memory I will hold forever. That day I realized my time on this earth is finite. What we do here in the time we have is important, and our ability to serve the needs of others - no matter how small that service might be - can only lift up our civilization that much more. Fixing a bike for a five year old girl, one who wasn't even alive when the planes hit the towers, may seem to be disconnected until you consider that her world is one where 9/11 is history. She doesn't remember it, nor should the emotional impact of that day hinder her from leading a good life now. We build her a bike because we know how fun it is to ride a bike and enjoy something in this life that isn't connected to money, congestion, politics, war, or poverty. We build her a bike because it's the right thing to do.

On this sixth anniversary of 9/11, remember not only the victims of the tragedy but also the everyday victims of domestic violence, low wages, mental illness, broken homes, and just plain rotten luck. By doing something for them we can carry the sense of American service beyond Ground Zero and into the hearts of those who need our assistance.

May God Bless you all in your endeavors to help.