Where was I on the morning of 9/11? Preparing for work in Toronto. Completely unaware was I of the two planes that crashed into the World Trade Center, until a call from my son in Yonkers told me of the incident and assured me not to worry about his Mom who missed her train to the city–her office was in the World Trade Center! He then directed me to turn on the television set to catch up on the latest developments.
So much has happened to us over the past 10 years. As we commemorate the 9/11 event, I pause to reflect on the tragedy of that day, the life changes that have befallen us, and the lessons we have learned.
No longer in advertising, I have retired from the business, living now in Antipolo, Philippines, where it all began some thirty years ago. My former wife, who had given us a fright on 9/11, stayed put in her company, living now in apartment, walking distance from her office in midtown New York. And my son, with two of his own kids, are staying in the sandy beaches of Boracay.
What have we learned from 9/11? That everything is in constant change. Things would be so much more different now, if my former wife only caught her usual train on time.The blessings of the last ten years is what we owe to those 9/11 families. A chance to move on and look to better things. An opportunity to live out the rest of our lives. In gratitude and peace.