Paul's Corner

Paul,

I was really surprised to find the first entry in the archives to have been posted on September 12 ... and yet it doesn't surprise me, really, because we were all stunned by that act of hatred??? desperation??? hopelessness???

I live in NYC and have friends who worked at the WTC (thank God they were able to get out), but until I heard from them you can imagine the anguish I went through. I recall that the one point when my friend, Adrienne, nearly lost it was when she talked about how she could never forget the faces of the firemen and policemen she met on her way down the stairs -- they were on their way up to try to help those trapped above.

Yes, it was an act of hatred, no doubt about it, but isn't it miraculous that in response to it the love of so many was brought out ... not just in NYC, but all across America and around the world? A friend of mine who was a volunteer at the site from early on said that you could feel God's Spirit in the place.

I am physically handicapped, so could not volunteer but, like you, I prayed for those killed, their families, our city, our nation, and the world that would never be the same in the face of this new threat.

It's been two years now since that day, and we have not been able to go back to normal, not really, not totally when one looks at the hole that has been cut out of the city's heart, but I feel we have been able to learn some lessons and really appreciate the times we have with our loved ones, and try very hard not to live our lives in fear because we now know for sure that "Vivir con miedo es como vivir a medias" (A life lived in fear is a life half lived).

I am sure that when you guys were filming "Strictly Ballroom" you could not have imagined that this proverb would some day help many of us remind ourselves to overcome fear of those that hate and try to embrace life to the fullest! :-)

Hugs,
Nertha