I did not post anything about the events of September 2001 here yesterday for fear of getting too political. Seeing so many related posts from other bloggers made me wonder if that was the right decision.
That is not to suggest I do not share the sadness of fellow bloggers who did say something about it. Nor should it be construed as a lack of caring or concern for those who lost their lives, those who were injured and those who lost loved ones on that horrible day.
As a journalist, I was on the run constantly during that week of September. Our job was to bring the story home to small-town America. For a time we worked longer-than-usual days, talking to local people who lived in New York City or Washington, or those who were taking action to help emergency workers or New Yorkers or anyone who was directly affected by the heinous acts of that day.
At night, I must admit, I took refuge in comfort food: Meatloaf with mashed potatoes, cooked carrots and beets, cheese sandwiches and creamy soups. Fall is a good time for such foods, but that particular fall I found I needed them more than usual.
One thing I learned was to live life to the fullest. That lesson was compounded 18 months later when my husband faced a serious medical condition that required surgery.
In the aftermath of these events, I learned to enjoy today and I reaffirmed my decision to lead an ethics-based life.
And that's really all I have to say.
P.S. But wait, there's more. If you haven't already, please check the recipe for September Soup at Christine Cooks. There is always something good cooking over at Christine's, and she describes the beauty of September perfectly.
8 comments:
Thank you. I appreciated finding a blog that chose not to comment, as I was already overwhelmed with my own set of memories. In the last five years I have been a college student, a Sergeant in the Army, a newlywed and this year I will complete my goal of finishing college, as a veteran.
Five years has brought many changes but remembering the joy of dining and cooking with friends and the importance of believing in something outside of yourself has truly taken me through all of it.
Your last paragraph really resonates with me.
In fact, because I have changed, my life has changed for the better in the last five years.
Believing in something outside yourself is the key.
oh the fear of getting too political....I sure understand that!I think you and Leanne made good choices not to comment...33 years with one of the major airlines involved and how it has changed our lives gets me "rocken".....lost friends. Hey, soup sounds great! Happy cooking
Well, I was afraid I would slip. I cannot be opinionated in my day job as a newspaper employee so the temptation to say something online was too great. I'd rather talk about food and travel anyway!
Hi Mimi,
I enjoyed your post. It reminded me of how my husband and I felt on 9/11 and the days and years after. We consciously live our lives differently than we used to. Ethics-based, a great way to put it! If only the powers that be would have a clue, huh?
I, too, try not to get political in my blogging but sometimes things just have to slip out or else I'll implode.
Thanks for the link to my soup. Believe me when I tell you that I'd like to gather all you wonderful, feeling, caring food bloggers around my table and dish up the soup!
I know exactly what you mean, Christine. I am accustomed to holding it in, at least publically.
I will be making your soup this weekend, I think. So many recipes, so little time...
When you talked about eating comfort foods around the time of the attack, it reminded me of the Lin Yutang quote: "What is patriotism but love of the foods we ate as children?"
That's a great quite, Lisa. I must remember that. It makes sense.
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