9.11 - A Memoir

 

About fifteen years ago we took our three sons on a trip to see the historical landmarks of our country.  We traveled to Washington DC and toured the capital building and the White House, pre-9-11, which was wonderful!  We were one of the last groups that ever got to see the Federal FBI building and the infamous 'gun room' which truly impressed the boys. We were fascinated as we walked the same tunnels all our past and present Presidents walked through, as they traveled between federal buildings. We saw Ted Kennedy talking to reporters on the Supreme Court stairs just 20 feet from us!  We were actually in the Capital building cafeteria, watching on closed circuit TV, the roll call vote on whether to impeach Clinton or not! It was amazing to witness the democratic process!

We headed up the interstate to Philadelphia and saw Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.  Next we headed up to New York.  With three young sons we were on a budget and had to make a decision about which building we would go up to get a bird's eye view of NY - the Empire State Building or The World Trade Center. 

 The boys wanted to go up the Twin Towers, but at $14.00 a person, you guessed it - 
we went up the iconic Empire State Building instead 
which saved us enough money to buy dinner!

 Little did we know we would never get the chance to ride to the top of the World Trade Center to take in the view of the city, and our sons never will let us forget!

 We decided to buy a snow globe as a souvenir of our visit to New York that day.  
The snow globe has both the Empire State Building and the World Trade Center Twin Towers inside.  My husband packed in carefully in his luggage for the flight home.

 Watching the snow fall over the city inside was always so magical!  

None of us will ever forget that unbelievable morning or 
where we were when we first heard the tragic news.  

 I cherish my souvenir snow globe, in which the Twin Towers are still standing. 
How ironic is it that since 9-11, snow globes are not allowed on planes - we wouldn't even be able to get the snow globe home now! I'll always regret skipping the ride up to the top, but our boys got to walk through the tunnels in Washington DC 
that are no longer accessible to the public since the attack. 

 Since 9-11, I can not bear to shake the globe and see the snow falling around the towers.  All of us saw those images on TV that morning, and it wasn't snow that was falling.  

Let us celebrate our freedom today, and remember all who lost their lives on 9-11 and pray for those who fight so we can continue to be free.

Wisteria Snow!

There is no surer sign of spring at my home then the wisteria in full bloom!  

As the gray winter skies slowly grow brighter each day, the buds grow fuller and lengthen.  First it is just one cluster, then two, growing exponentially each day.  

The skies threaten again and they clench tight.  

But then the sun comes out, and the buds swell in the warmth.  

 Like a balloon filling with air, fuller, fuller, fuller . . . 

until finally they pop!  It is if they explode like fireworks all in one day and the vine covering our pergola if front of the house becomes a wisteria canopy - 

perfect for relaxing under and dreaming of the sun filled days that lie ahead.

  And when the canopy is full, it beckons other living things like a candy jar beckons a child.  The bees swarm to it attracted by its perfume, a scent that envelops you as you gravitate under the canopy.  The birds sing in its branches, each picking a spot in its twisting, jumbled vines to build their nests.  

  But wait!  There is an intruder!  

Curiousity called the cat, Cade, to the canopy! 

He is a lion in the jungle, enjoying all a flutter!  

So much to see up there from the jays that squawk at their disapproval that he is there, to the bumbles to bat oh so carefully!  

As Cade moves across the canopy, the blossoms fall to the ground.  

The blooms don't last forever.  

 So predictable is the weather 

that coincides with the complete explosion of blooms, 

I know the winds will come with the final spring rain of the season, 

but this too, is something I cherish! 

As the winds blow, the snowstorm of petals fall, 

blanketing the patio furniture, cement, and grass with wisteria snow.  

And this - I know - is spring!