Saying Goodbye... 9/11 Twenty Years Later

 "It has been said, 'time heals all wounds." I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting it's sanity, covers them with scar tissue, and the pain lessens. But it's never gone."

~Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy

I have considered ending my 9/11 tributes over the years. Not because I have forgotten about what happened that day, and who it happened to, but because after 20 years perhaps it's time to not take back the grief yearly, like it sits on a shelf, waiting to be recognized. That's not how grief works. So, how does one celebrate a life? David and Lynn Angell were wonderful people. As was Marisa DiNardo Schorpp, who fell to her death, from the World Trade Center, on that horrible day. I feel like I got to know them, through my research. I only came to know about Marisa in recent years, but she left an impression me, on 9/11, that stayed with me to this day. She was in a window, along with others, begging for help as fire burned behind her. She was wearing a beautiful black skirt and white blouse. Classic. I felt so bad for years, that there was no way to say goodbye to know of her life, or to say goodbye to her, then one day while watching a documentary about 9/11, a man described seeing her fall to her death. She was identified years later, after her purse was discovered among the personal effects of the victims.

 

 Her name was Marisa, and she had lovely taste.

 

Anyway, this is my last 9/11 tribute post. It's been twenty years, and honestly, the new world I thought would be carved from grief and new understanding of our kinship as Americans never came to pass. We have all but forgotten what happened all those years ago, and we, Americans, don't stand up for each other, instead we push nationalist agendas out of cowardice and selfish need to put ourselves first, as if what happens to our neighbor doesn't happen to us. Americans unite in times of trouble? That's as silly a notion at this point as reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Sigh. I really thought we would be in a different place by this time, but sadly, we aren't, and it will be at least another generation before we can hope to see the idea of an America that lives up to that ideal. At my age, I am unsure if I will ever see the idea of brotherhood in America, let alone the ideal itself. Its sad. I was hoping that from the ashes, an American Phoenix would arise. Sadly, we can keep honoring the victims, but if it's just to show the world how much we remember, we are stepping on the very lives we can never properly repay, or truly honor. Next year, I will reflect on these three extraordinary people, but in my own way, and to myself.

Rest In Peace... David, Lynn And Marisa

Remembering The Love, Laughter And The Life Of The Angells

"I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I like the most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It's probably the most important thing in a person."

~Audry Hepburn

If you have been reading my blog for a year, or more, then you know that every September 11th, I honor and remember two extraordinary people, David and Lynn Angell, whose lives were cute short by the tragedy of 911. The Angell's were aboard American Airlines, Flight 11, when it slammed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. 

That day saw a lot of tragedy. The Angells have always stood out to me on a personal level because I had enjoyed Mr. Angell's many contributions to the world of television. He had a gift. He made people laugh through his writing and ability to make us laugh with projects such as Wings, and Cheers and Frasier. 

He made my life better... just by sharing his talent with the world. Both of those shows got me through some tough times. What a wonderful escape it is, to come home from a bad day, turn on the TV and enjoy a good solid laugh by way of a sitcom. Mr. Angell made my life a happier place, and I will remember him often, but especially on 9/11.

I didn't know much about Lynn Angell until after I began researching the life of David Angell, but what I found out about her was awesome! She, like her husband, had a wonderful ability to make those around her feel at ease. She loved children and was devoted to bringing some help to them, and those less fortunate through charitable hearts that continue to shine today by way of the Angell Foundation, which provides help and teaches self-sufficiency to those who need a hand up in life.

The Angells were extraordinary people who made the world a better place, and because of their love and kindness, their legacy continues to this day! I can't help but smile when I think of them, and I am grateful to have learned about their lives and the example they set for all of us! They remind me to be grateful, and pass on whatever good fortune that comes my way. They remind me to smile. They remind me to go forth each day, trying my best to be the change I want to see in the world.

I will always honor the Angells in my heart. 

You don't have to have ever met someone in life, to love them!

Today I will be honoring them by smiling as much as possible.

Please join me in that tribute.

Thank You, David And Lynn Angell, for making the world a better place!

Mood: Reflective

~Me :)

Round Robin Challenge: Goodbye

"If I had a single flower for every time I think of you,

 I could walk forever in my garden."

~Claudia Adrienne Grandi

 RRC: Goodbye

Saying Goodbye...

Life is full of hellos and goodbyes. Whenever I lose a friend, or a TV show, or an icon or a project I dearly love, I try to remind myself that life is a series of hellos and goodbyes. Most of the time I grieve for a while and then one day I realize the sadness has passed, and I am doing a lot more smiling at the memories, than crying and longing for one more visit to a place lost, or a smile that won't be there, or a joke that won't be told. In truth, I have been lucky enough to have had many more happy hellos than tragic goodbyes, but even the most charmed life will have their share.

2014 seems to have been a year of loss. You know from the news. But none touched me more deeply than the death of Robin Williams. He was a San Francisco Bay Area fixture. He lived in southern Marin County, but his love and generosity was felt throughout the Bay Area. In the town of Tiburon, where he called home, he was affectionately known as "The Man On The Bicycle." He was well loved by many, and that included me. With my little photo jaunts around the Bay Area, I always figured I would cross paths with him one day, alas it wasn't to be.

I have to admit... it's a fact that breaks my heart into

 the tiniest of pieces. 

Shards really.

 

:( 

There were many different tributes to Robin Williams held around the Bay Area, most of them for his dear friends, and a few public ones. I chose to honor him in my own way. Just a fan saying, Thank You, for the many moments of happiness his talent brought me.

 So last Monday, October 6th, Alan and I made the trek to Marin County, to a lovely little quiet park that sits just around the corner, on the same waterfront that touches his home in Tiburon, to pay our respects. I brought him some plastic Army Men, of which he was an avid collector, and I quietly said "I loved you" and "Goodbye."

 Paradise Beach and Park. 

:)

Thank You, Robin!

Alan and I enjoyed our visit to the park and beach very much, we now have another amazing place to visit when we are in Marin County, and you know I will always think of Robin when 

we are there. It's one more thing to thank him for!

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."

~Theodor Seuss Geisel (attributed)

And now, I want to say Goodbye to the Round Robin Challenges.

Karen and I accidentally began this meme, but we certainly had a great time with it over this past decade. THAT'S RIGHT... DECADE! The Round Robin Challenges is just a little over a decade old, and I am very proud of Karen for all she did to keep the fun going! She and our dear Steven, did a lot to make this project a very nice place during it's heyday, and while I haven't contributed as much to it in recent years, it was always near and dear to me because it began as two friends, Karen and I, inspiring each other to be creative. When others asked to join in, it became a lovely community project, with a lot of creative ideas suggested for challenges as we moved along. How could I not be at least a little sad to see it come to an end? In truth, I am sad, but more than anything I am proud to have been a part of something so extraordinary.

Thank You Karen, you were and continue to be one of my favorite people and my good friend!

I had a blast!

:)

And Thank You to all the Robins who participated in this project!

Okay, so for one last time...

If you would like to join in, there is still plenty of time. Just pop on over to the official Round Robin Photo blog and leave the following 3 pieces of information...

Your Name

Your Blog's Name

Full Address Of Your Blog

It's that easy. Simply click the link at the top of this post to be redirected.

And now the Leaf Of The Day...

 

:)

Mood: Happy/Reflective

~Me :)

Respite

"Maybe there's a whole other universe where a square moon rises in the sky, and the stars laugh in cold voices, and some of the triangles have four sides, and some have five, and some have five raised to the fifth power of sides. In this universe there might grow roses which sing.

 Everything leads to everything."

~Stephen King

One last photo from my visit to the Flight 93 Memorial, in Union City, Ca. This is the 9/11 Flight 93 Rose which was created in honor of the men and women who lost their lives that day in Pennsylvania. As a rose enthusiast, I was quite taken by it's beauty. It's dark red in the shade, but bright, vibrant red when the sun is directly on it. It's amazing. I may have to order one next year to add to my own garden. It would be a perfect, permanent, remembrance of the best of humanity.

As you can see, there is a little green and black bug that stopped by for a little respite. I think he looks amazing against the crimson red of the rose. That little guy made me smile. The folks who planned and implemented the garden did an amazing job. It's thoughtful, and serene, yet there are all kinds of little touches that remind on of hope. Like this rose. I am so glad I finally went.

Mood:Good/Hopeful

~Me :)

Flight 93 National Memorial

9/11 Flight 93 Rose

Art About Town: San Francisco. Street Art And Murals Of Haight Ashbury (Part Two)

Jimi Hendrix Mural, By Artists, Ernest Doty, Max Ehrman, And Sean Griffin

"There is no end. There is no beginning. There is only the infinite passion of life."

~Federico Fellini

Jimi Hendrix. It's hard to believe that so much talent, could die so young. I guess when you are that age, death seems like it's for someone else. I am especially reflective about age and dying because of this week I think. The point driven home about the age of Trayvon Martin, and on the same day, the sad news of the passing of Cory Monteith. At just 31, another artist dead, from the same demons that claimed Jimi Hendrix. Brian Jones. Janis Joplin. Jim Morrison. Kurt Cobain and Amy Winehouse. I don't want to speculate about Cory Monteith, about why, or how, he lived or died. It serves no real point. I wasn't even particularly familiar with his voice, as I have never seen a single episode of Glee, but I did hear his singing the other day on a news report about his untimely death, and it made me sad to know that I won't be hearing him sing again. I could have been a fan.

But back to Jimi. In 2017, Haight/Ashbury will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the "Summer Of Love" and this mural of Jimi Hendrix is a little taste of what's to come in the way tribute to a significant time in our culture. The mural is on the house, very near the intersection of Haight and Asbury, where Jimi Hendrix lived during that time. The house itself is special, as it was the inspiration for the Jimi Hendrix song, "Red House." The three artists that created this mural, are working on creating another on the other side of the building. I am going to be revisiting the Haight throughout the summer, and I will keep you up to date on the project and it's progress. And you know I will be there in 2017 to see it all in it's psychedelic glory. It's art. So I will be there. Click the link below to read more about the mural, the artists, and their vision.

Fitting Tribute To Hendrix Ahead Of Summer Of Love

Mood: Reflective

~Me :)