My heart goes out to everyone who is personally touched by the 9/11 tragedy. I salute the Nelson Family whose daughter Michelle Nelson was killed on that tragic day (Her father Michael and I came to NY about the same time). Today I will again pay another visit to ground zero where I will be reminded of everyone's pain. Let us continue to serve Him and be hopeful for better and safer days ahead.

Treasure Beach lost a very special resident whom we remember today.

Click here to view the Profile of the Month for September, 2001.

I continue to remember Berry and celebrate her life, however today I once again mourn the loss of a very dear friend.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Michelle and Berry's family and friends today as well as with all those whose lives have been touched by the events of 9/11.

A sad, sad anniversary. May the world find peace soon.

This is why you should always say I love YOU....


In memory of all those who perished on 9/11/2001; the passengers and the pilots on the United Air and AA flights, the workers in the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and all the innocent bystanders. My prayers go out to the friends and families of the deceased.



IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love ! you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

I returned from New York early this morning... the first year in five that I felt I was ready to go and mourn my beloved friend Berry. I prayed for peace for her family and those who miss her. I shared stories with some of her New York friends and people who simply knew of her. I threw flowers to the wind from a boat on the Hudson River - white - for peace in the waters surrounding her in death. One block south of Ground Zero I sat in Trinity Churchyard which was founded in the late 1700's. The old archetecture rich with history and beauty as well as the sycamore trees, hostas and lush green in a city of glass and grey was solace that Berry would have (and probably at some point) enjoyed. And I cried and prayed with thousands of family and friends in the echoes of Ground Zero as the bells tolled at 8:46 a.m. Pink flowers for Auntie Berry remained there from Clara.

It continues to be unbelieveable to me that she is gone. My daughter still sees her and hears her voice in her dreams. So I have faith that her energy is still with us where and when we need it.

Continued Rest in Peace to you Berry. And continued condolences to your boys.

Because I work one block from ground zero and directly behind Trinity Church, I feel so connected to Michelle, Berry and countless others with and without a face. Although I have promised to stay clear of ground zero, (9/11 was just a tear filled day), tomorrow morning I will walk through the grounds of Trinity Church on my way to work and smell the flowers/roses that were laid in memory of loved ones. I will whisper a prayer on their behalf as they continue to RIP.