September 11

[manhattan]

I needed a place to vent......I don't mean to bring anyone down on this subject, but I work for a company that lost three employees on 9/11 and it seems it will be business as usual here. No one has mentioned anything about tomorrow, but I feel something should be done to remember our colleagues. Maybe I am too sentimental, but how do you just ignore something like that, is money all that matters to the corporations? Last year we were given the option if we wanted to come to work or attend one of the many ceremonies around town, but this year nothing has come down from management. Is anyone else feeling like this day is being ignored? Again, sorry to vent here.

 

[FOJMO]

You have every right to feel the way you do. Especially, in light of the fact that you are in NYC and your company has lost friends/colleagues.

Here at our company in Florida, we do not have any permission to leave work to attend ceremonies, per se, but we are observing the moment of silence at 8:46 AM tomorrow throughout the buildings and red, white and blue flower arrangements were sold yesterday with the proceeds going to the United Way.

God Bless you all and please try and observe this memorable day in your own special way.

 

[PamOKW]

I think people are unsure of what to do. I agree that it shouldn't be ignored but I think it's still too fresh to really know how to reflect on the day. The large formal ceremonies aren't happening this year. There are some church and interfaith services planned in our area. I would think your company would acknowledge the day somehow. If they don't, you may want to set aside some time to reflect on it yourself. The "business as usual" even extended to the WTC site. The construction company wanted to keep working. The workers and the union finally made them see that was a very bad idea.

Don't worry about bringing anyone down discussing this -- it's a horrible memory but it's something we need to remember, no matter how hard that is.

 

[FergieTCat]

I'm not sure exactly where you work, but you might feel better if you go to a church or synagogue over lunch hour and light a candle or say a prayer. There is no synagogue around my office, so I plan to go to St. Patrick's Cathedral (3 blocks away) and remember.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

manhattan,
{{{{{HUGS}}}} Do whatever helps you get through the day.

Maybe you can add a little insight into a situation I have. A lady I work with lost her son at the WTC. He was a firefighter. She decided yesterday that she would clean out all her 9/11 memorial stuff and said it was time to move on. Our boss asked me whether he should send her flowers or something tomorrow (she was given the day off). When I spoke to her last night as I helped her carry out her things she told me she just really felt like being left alone to deal with things the way she needs to (except she is partipating in one event at a local fire department, which she says she is doing to make others feel good about themselves. ) So should we send her flowers or just let her be? I don't want her to think we aren't thinking about her. I just don't know what is the right thing to do.

 

[FOJMO]

On this subject, has anyone seen the play "The Guys"?

It's about a New York City fire captain who had to write eulogies for eight of his men who died at the World Trade Center. Thinking he lacked the eloquence for such a task, he hired Nelson, a journalist, to help him. The two-person play - which has been produced several times in New York, originally with Sigourney Weaver, who also stars in a film version - is a fictionalized account of their working relationship.

A friend of ours is the fire captain in the play which is going to be produced here in the Tampa Bay area (one of two productions) and we're going to see it on 9/27. I think the proceeds from the ticket sales are going to charity.

 

[manhattan]

MISSJASMINE-
I think the flowers would be nice with a note saying that you are thinking of her.
I just spoke with a coworker who said that the general feeling is that it is time to move on. For me, its not that easy, I still think about them and I feel bad for their children who will never know what great parents they had.
I am thinking about going to Mass tomorrow morning and maybe just let it all out at that point.

 

[Mishetta]

Miss Jasmine ~ I second the motion for the flowers. It's a very nice gesture, even if she is trying to move on. If she doesn't want the flowers, she can bring them to a memorial site or pass them on to someone else who needs the smile, but I do feel that the flowers are in order. That was a very nice thought on your part & your boss' part.

To Manhatten, I don't know how large the company you work for is, but if it were me, I would suggest the moment of silence at 846am as well. I'm sure 99% of the people (if not all) will want to honor all those who lost their lives for even one minute of the day.

At my son's private Catholic school, they wear uniforms but tomorrow they are encouraged to wear (appropriate) Red/White/Blue clothing.

It's just a little subtle way to show we have not forgotten.