There are moments in our lives that become etched into eternal memory. No time, space or circumstance removes the feeling and the intensity that something has in fact touched our soul.
It was on this day in 2001 that I could see the twin towers in the distance burning as I tried frantically to call my wife to tell her I was alright. I became angry and frustrated that I couldn’t get a call out since the network was flooded.Then something rather profound happened. I looked at the towers and came to the realization that at that very moment, someone else was trying to make a very important call too. One to say “I love you” for the last time and to say goodbye. I can’t begin to describe what that felt like, but I remember grabbing onto to a railing so I didn’t faint.
I was stuck in NJ because of the attacks and couldn’t get back home again until the next evening. My wife suggested that we divide and conquer and that she would sleep in with my daughter and I would bunk in with the boys. Before going to bed that night my son Nicholas who was 5 at the time asked if we could say a prayer for those in the towers. He began to systematically ask that not only everyone in the towers be blessed, their families, their pets, their neighbors, their ancestors, their future lineage and went on for what seemed to be an endless loop until my son Paul hit his boiling point and said “NICKY! . . . God’s got the point!” Call it nerves, tension or simply part of the grieving process, but we were able to laugh and I remember how good it felt to be able to do that again!
From that day on . . .
We tried to sit down more as a family at meal time
We did our best to get back to our house of worship
Lots of flags proudly displayed even as lapel pins (note to self to get back to this)
We remembered to tell people how we felt about them
We looked at Police Officers and Firefighters differently
And let us not forget those who continually fight for our freedom and who have paid the ultimate price for us! We started thanking them for their service more than ever!
We began, if even for a brief moment, to balance and understand the fragility of this thing we call life!
So I’m sorry to say that today’s blog is NOT about sales. It’s simply a wake up call for all of us to appreciate, respect, reflect and learn from the journey we have all taken since September 11th.
One thing before you go . . .
With respect, appreciation and a heavy heart,
Paul Castain
Thanks, Paul, for sharing your “where were you story.” Great reminders!!!
Paul,
I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was in my office in New Jersey and could see the smoke rising from Manhattan. I did make it home but my 15 mile ride took over 7 hours as roads were closed to all but military vehicles.
I can recall driving across the Triborough bridge and seeing the flames as the buildings burned 6 miles away.
In the days/week/s months that followed, I can remember how we all felt more connected. We all felt more together. We were more friendly and respectful of one another. It was as if we all realized the fragile nature of our existence and how we need one another to make it all work.
Indeed, it was a day that changed our lives in more ways than we realize.
Cheers,
Marc
Uncle Paul,
Wow! I’m ashamed to admit it’s sooo easy to be passive about this tragic event. I hesitate to say “forget” b/c I really haven’t forgotten, just back to same ole’ grind of work being top-of-mind right out of bed; didn’t even realize it was 9/11!! Dang, I hate that!
Thanks for such an important reminder on a day that should cause all of us to pause…give thanks…and think about those who have sacrificed on our behalf. God Bless America!
PS: good song by the way, “where were you when the world stopped turning”.
Thank you for that insight, and one of your best lessons for us.
Paul, when I read the title of your post today I thought, “ugh, do I really want to start my day with a depressing reminder of tradegy?” I like to stay upbeat, laugh and smile. I remember very well that day. I worked near Wright Patt Air Force Base and the silence in the air was deafening. It truly felt as though the world had stopped. I also remember the sadness, heavy hearts and tears as we watched the second tower fall on the TV in our breakroom. And then the reminder that not everyone has a heart as we were shooed away to return to our obviously more important jobs. That moment was truly defining and separated the carers from the care-nots. Thank you for sharing this today and reminding us of the love and caring that is out there.
A good friend’s daughter-in-law worked at Goldman Sachs, and somehow got down the forty something flight of stairs alive. She had to leave that business afterward, even though they relocated to jersey for awhile. We were on our way to STamford, CT to meet a distributor from jersey, to discuss a possible collaboration. We got a very hard to hear phone call on one of our cell phones, that the people couldn’t get over the GW bridge, but we didnt get a reason why. We knew that something was terribly wrong.
“Lots of flags proudly displayed even as lapel pins…”
I remembered the day yesterday. Back then The PRINT show in Chicago was waning down and I just came home the day before. Lucky me. For some, it took a week to get back from Chicago.
Thanks for reminding me about the flags. Ours just went out now!
I love your ‘From that day on…’ points. Great reminders.
Where was I? Trying to make that call as well to track down my a loved one who was in NYC. My 71 year old Mother was to be touring the Trade Center that day while there on business. By the grace of God, meetings were moved around and she was at her company’s corporate office watching the 2nd plane hit just a few blocks away.
I’m still amazed at the strength my Mom had – at 71 – to walk out of Manhattan, catch a train to a bus that took her to family in Pennsylvania. After three days of family ‘relay driving’ her back to Nebraska, she was home safely. It wasn’t until then she cried.
Still today she is haunted by the moments of impact, the smells, and is thankful for her voyage home. We are blessed she was safe and at a young 83 she is going strong today. Many were not so lucky. It is a day none of us should ever forget.
I love your ‘From that day on…’ points. Great reminders.
Where was I? Trying to make that call as well to track down a loved one who was in NYC. My 71 year old Mother was to be touring the Trade Center that day while she was there on business. By the grace of God, her meetings were moved around and she was at her company’s corporate office watching the 2nd plane hit just a few blocks away.
I’m still amazed at the strength my Mom had – at 71 – to walk out of Manhattan over that bridge with so many others. She walked on to find a train that would take her to a bus that took her to family in Pennsylvania. After three days of family ‘relay driving’ her back to Nebraska, she was home safely. It wasn’t until then she cried.
Still today she is haunted by the moments of impact, the smells, and is thankful for her voyage home. We are blessed she was safe and at a young 83 she is going strong today. Many were not so lucky. It is a day none of us should ever forget.
Today I saw the flags flying at half staff around town, and remembered wondering, back on that day, how we would ever be able to raise them to full staff again. The sadness and the shock were so profound I couldn’t imagine letting go of that symbol of the loss that we all suffered, whether we knew anyone in the towers or not. I’m glad that our collective spirits were raised as was the flag, and I hope that we never forget the blessings that came out of that day, which bound us closer together.
Paul, I am struck by the words of your then 5 year old. In that moment he understood and delineated the far reaching effect of that heinous act. All of us will never be the same, and in that moment he understood that.
Well said Jon . . . Thank you!
Thank you Paul. No need to apologize for the blog not being about sales today. I appreciate you, and what you do.
Thanks Lisa!
I believe New York City changed in a matter of seconds.
I visted NYC in June of 2011 and was shocked by how friendly and helpful the people were. September 11, 2001 marks the day when the people living in NYC suddenly realized how important it is to take time to help others. It was comforting to know something good resulted from such a horrible disaster.
I love your post and it brings back so many memories and really want to take out of this day. This day weighs so heavy on my heart. When this happened, I was in 7th grade and I was able to understand the emotions, tragedy and fear. A week before I can always feel it coming and I will never forget. It’s something I have now grown up with, its a day for 5 more years we stopped in school and remembered what happened. For two of the years the fire department would sound its sirens and we would have a moment of silence for each of the events. I will never take freedom, my family, my friends and my life for granted.