Today…

Where were you in 2001? It would be easy to say I was in Kansas City at a Cerner Convention. I was. Kansas City is loaded with fountains, one of their claims to fame, actually. The fountain across from my hotel was filled with water dyed Kansas City Chief red. The previous Sunday was opening day and the Chiefs were playing the Raiders. As is custom, they put red dye in the fountain. Come Tuesday afternoon, it meant something else entirely. Wednesday morning it was drained.

It was surreal looking at a fountain spray red after watching the carnage and destruction of the day. I couldn’t stop staring at it. I was glad when they drained it.

I watched the collapse of the towers on huge video screens in the convention center. Another surreal moment was trying to listen to the keynote speaker talk about the human genome while the video screens continued to show the replays of the planes hitting the buildings, the building collapsing. I really felt bad for the speaker, no one really heard him. A funny thing to feel bad about under the circumstances.

I was stuck there, as were most people. No flights and driving or busing to Alaska would have taken longer than the wait for planes. I still hold a fondness in my heart for Kansas City. It seemed like the safest place in the world after 9/11. I don’t really know why.

What I really mean by that question is this; How was your life changed? Do you even realize the changes that were made then? Changes that became permanent.

The biggest and most obvious is air travel. Much stricter security measures, added times to travel. No liquids through security, no shoes to be worn. I also think of those that are now looked upon with fear or suspicion. No one but the real terrorist/criminals deserve that level of scrutiny. Being a bit dark skinned myself, I was actually worried that they may not let me on the plane.

Oddly, in the midst of all that chaos, destruction, and pain I saw and felt the most compassion I have ever seen or felt since. I saw a multi-national corporation charter busses to deliver convention participants home. At no cost to them. I saw a hotel grant room waivers and allowing us to stay after our original dates. I saw people look at other people in a visibly softer way. One of compassion, one of helpfulness. Everyone was so polite, so helpful, so aware of everyone else. So willing to do the right thing. So willing to be part of a solution, so willing to forgive the daily transgressions of others and so few transgressions to forgive. It was beautiful. From every tragedy comes some beauty.

I would like to say thank you to all those who ran towards the towers to save the less fortunate. I would like to say thank you to those who continue the vigilance to keep us safe, to be there when we are in need. I would like thank you all for all the compassion you showed then and continue to show now.

Thank you.