Ground Zero ceremony

[RickinNYC]

I just found out that I was selected to be one of the attendees at the Ground Zero ceremony this coming Thursday, 9/11. Part of me was so happy with the news. A number of you already know I lost a number of friends two years ago, and subsequently volunteered overnight shifts at the site immediately after the tragedy. From time to time, as the date draws closer, I feel pangs in my heart, much like a large number of my fellow DIS members. And being at the service and ceremony will definitely bring further closure to this chapter in my life.

That being said, I'm also incredibly nervous. I have to represent my coworkers and follow Ground Zero volunteers. I have to "show New York pride". Stand tall. Be strong. But I'm just so anxious that I might break down. I'm not ashamed of crying. I just don't want to do it in the most most nationally visible moment.

I already accepted. It's an amazing honor. I guess I'm just asking you all to send a little pixie dust my way that I keep it together.

And on this note, I also ask that you reach over and hug your spouse, boy/girlfriend, partner, mother, father, daughter, son, cousin, in-law, uncle, aunt, neighbor and friend. Tell them you care about them. You never know what's going to happen tomorrow so make sure you love them today.

And on Thursday, September 11, don't dwell too hard on the past. Send a prayer out in your heart. And give a total and complete stranger a smile, huge and beaming like the sun, or small and quiet. But give a stranger a smile. That's the best way to remember our friends, neighbors and love ones.

Wishing you all a safe and peace filled week.

Be well everyone.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Sending Pixie dust and prayers for you. I hope your participation in this event helps bring you peace and comfort.

 

[Michelle]

Rick, I'm sure you will be an amazing representative at the ceremony. You will keep it together, WHATEVER your reaction, because it will be an honest and heartfelt reaction.

I hope you will share this awesome experience with us after you participate.

 

[delswife]

Don't be nervous, be very proud. When you cry, know that we are all crying with you. You will not be there alone. I have read many of your post and believe they couldn't have found a better guy to do the honors. We are with you my friend, with prayers, pixie dust and love.
I am going to take your advice and remind my family how much I love them.
But first, I am sending you a giant cyber hug.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thanks for these thoughts, Rick. My best wishes for you, be yourself. I think you will be. {{Hugs}}

 

[joeokw]

Rick,
We lost 8 people in our parish up here in Rockland on 9/11. I am a RN and I work in Manhattan. A bunch of us at the hospital voluntereed near ground zero later that day. It still haunts me when all of us at who were deployed at our emergency first aid station, first realized there would no survivors to treat. I know you will be there to represent all of us who volunteered and all of us who were affected .

 

[zurgswife]

Rick...I'm sure you will be an awesome representative....be proud and be you ...

Congrats on being chosen for such an honor...

 

[Virgo10]

Oh My! What a wonderful honor. Sending positive thoughts your way.

I thought it was interesting that you mentioned feeling pangs in your heart. Like last year, once the calendar rolled over into September, I started to feel somewhat off. I keep thinking about what was going on two years ago and how innocent we all were.

You will be in my prayers and please let us know how things go.

Roberta
I Love New York but the Yankees ****!

 

[WDWLVR]

Rick - what an amazing honor. I'm sure you will do yourself and all those you represent proud. If tears do fall they will be genuine and true tears and I'm sure won't be the only ones shed that day.

Thank you for what you did then and what you are going to do on the 11th.

May it bring you peace.

 

[Zurg]

 

[debster812]

Rick,

What a great honor, and there is no one more deserving to represent his co-workers. I am already so proud of you, and yes, you already made me cry this morning with this post!!!!

Lots of good thoughts for you, and a cyber {{{{hug}}}}. (One day I WILL meet you, and give you one in person!)

Debbie

 

[RickinNYC]

Hi all,

Thanks for the great thoughts and best wishes. It's going to be a rough day for most of us. It's nice to know so many nice folks are out there.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

((((hugs)))) and PD flying your way

 

[Towncrier]

Thank you Rick (and the other countless volunteers) for what you endured on that tragic day two years ago. It is because of your actions that I can truly say that I'm proud to be an American. My thoughts and prayers will be with you as you represent what makes our country great. That people are willing to make sacrifices for the good of their fellow countrymen.

God Bless you and all the rest of the volunteers.

 

[doxdogy]

What a great honor. I am sure that you will do just fine. I am sure that your eyes will not be the only eyes tearing up at the ceremony. Sending to you cyberhugs and good wishes.

 

[Tony-NJ]

what an honor Rick. there will be lots of us who will shed tears that day. Here's some pd buddy!

 

[Pooh93]

{{HUGS}} and best wishes. The others are right...you won't be alone in shedding tears that day. I can't believe it's been two years already.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

{{hugs}} rick. I know you'll do us proud.