Thursday, September 11, 2014

ATF: 9-11

This weekly series will include as many of my all-time favorite (ATF) tunes as I can get my grubby little hands on (so to speak).  Now, each one included in each edition will have some connection with the other—albeit only as a figment of my imagination, but they will not be numbered.  For I just cannot bring myself to rate some higher than others.  So, this will not be a countdown, but if you are enjoying them as much as I do, it won’t matter.  Besides, with no countdown, this could go on forever and ever!  Oh, and despite the fact that there is absolutely no way that your musical tastes can be as exquisite as mine, I welcome any suggestions you might dare to make.  For I am, after all, quite magnanimous by nature.

***NOTE***
Just in case you have been wondering what constitutes an all-time favorite tune to me, it is a song that I can listen to over and over again without getting tired of hearing it.  Well, the two included this week are quite different.  In fact, they are both too naturally gut-wrenching for me to listen to more than once every year or so.  On the other hand, with today’s date being what it is, I am compelled to include two tribute pieces that should never fade into obscurity—especially not now, when it is looking like we are on the eve of another destructive period with the ISIS threat looming large on the horizon.  No, I do not think ISIS will seek to make large-scale attacks upon us and our valued allies abroad, but several much smaller incidents would turn our generally peaceful existences into chaos.  Therefore, please pay close attention to the second one here—despite there being some of it that is simply wrong.  It is close enough, though.  For life in this world was never meant to last but for a little while in comparison to the whole of eternity.


9-11 Heaven Remix Tribute
"It's been a year, daddy.
I really, really miss you.
Mommy says you’re safe now in a beautiful place called, Heaven.
We had your favorite dinner tonight.
I ate it all up!
Even though I don't like carrots.
I learned how to swim this summer.
I can even open my eyes while I'm underwater.
Can’t you see me?
I started kindergarten this year.
I carry a picture of us in my Blue's Clues lunchbox.
You are the greatest daddy.
I can swing on the swing by myself!
Even though I miss you pushing me.
Can’t you see me?
I miss how you used to tickle me.
Tickle my belly.
My belly hurts.
I try not to cry.
Mommy says it's okay.
I know you don't like it when I cry.
You never wanted me to be sad.
I try, daddy, but it hurts.
Is it true you're not coming home?
Maybe someday.
I can visit you in heaven—okay?
It's time for me to go bed now.
I sleep with the light on.
Just in case you come home and kiss me goodnight.
I love you so much.
I miss you Daddy."


9-11 Silent Night/I Was There Remix Tribute
“You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news on September 11, 2001.
Neither will I.
I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say goodbye.
I held his fingers steady as he dialed.
I gave him the peace to say, ‘Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is okay, I am ready to go.’
I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children.
I held her up as she tried to understand his words, and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.
I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help.
'I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years,' I said.
'Of course I will show you the way home—only believe in Me now.'
I was at the base of the building with the priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls.
I took him home to tend to his flock in Heaven.
He heard my voice and answered.
I was on all four of those planes.
In every seat.
With every prayer.
I was with the crew as they were overtaken.
I was in the very hearts of the believers there.
Comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.
I was in Texas, Kansas, London.
I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.
Did you sense Me?
I want you to know that I saw every face.
I knew every name.
Though, not all know Me.
Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.
Some sought Me with their last breath.
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames
'Come to Me.
This way.
Take my hand.'
Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me, but I was there.
I did not place you in the Tower that day.
You may not know why, but I do.
However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time—would you have reached for Me?
September 11, 2001 was not the end of the journey for you.
But someday your journey will end.
And I will be there for you as well.
Seek Me now while I may be found.
Then, at any moment, you know you’re ready to go.
I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.
Remember...I love you."

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14 comments:

  1. I think songs like these help people focus their feelings about a tragedy that is still a raw wound for so many people.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, my dear Stephen!!! Alas, so much for me being a true manly man. For I choked up with emotion several times before this piece was ready for publishing--despite knowing full well that it will be as it should be in the end.

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  2. A lovely, heartfelt tribute. God Bless us all, today and everyday.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, my dear Karen!!! Amen.

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  3. It was a most horrible, horrible tragedy. In disbelief I watched it all live on TV here (our time here in Aus - it unfolded on our Monday night) all night through...like millions and millions of others, I couldn't believe was was unfolding before my eyes...and I will never forget. But now I find myself looking away every time the images of the Towers appear on TV. I just can't watch. Shivers go down my spine. Lest We Forget...

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, my dear Lee!!! I still vividly remember Arlynda calling me from work in a panic and telling me to just turn on the TV. I cannot start to remember how many times we have seen the footage of those towers falling since, and even though I would rather not ever see it again, it is something that I hope to never forget.

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    2. Please don't misunderstand me, Jerry. I will never forget that day (it was night here as I said). I sat throughout that Monday transfixed to my TV screen watching everything as it unfolded. I immediately rang Randall, my ex, but he was already watching what was happening, too. He'd lived in New York for nigh on 10 years; and loved/loves the city still.

      It was as if I was hypnotised. I didn't go to bed. I couldn't - there was no way I could've slept, anyway.

      I went into work before 6 am and woke up my bosses. They lived in a cottage on the acreage that held the restaurant-function house in which I was chef - an 18-hole Par 3 golf course was also part of the property.

      My bosses, (husband & wife) were totally ignorant to what had transpired over the previous few hours while they slept. I told them in no uncertain terms to put their TV on.

      I stayed at work doing some prep for a couple of hours...but I just had to leave...I had to get out...I felt so upset; claustrophobic; I just wanted to be alone for a while. I went back to work a few hours later and saw the rest of the afternoon and night through. I will never forget that time; not ever. In truth, I went into a deep depression for three or four weeks following that horrendous tragedy....

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    3. Thanks for stopping by again, my dear Lee!!! Yes, the tragedy most certainly has left a lasting impression upon you. If you have not heard yet, your government pledged to send at least 600 ground troops for the upcoming international campaign against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. You-all are the only ones to do this so far, with the others only offering air and logistical support, as far as I know. Be assured that I am very impressed, and I certainly hope we are not about to begin another foolish exercise in futility.

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    4. Yes, I know we've pledged troops. I knew we would; and I'm proud to be an Aussie. We can not allow ourselves and the rest of the world to be held to ransom by these evil monsters. Sad though it is...we cannot sit by and allow it to happen.

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    5. Thanks for stopping by again, my dear Lee!!! I hope others will also step-up--including some more of our own, if no others will commit to sending ground troops.

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  4. Beautiful tributes. Such a tragic day that no one will ever forget

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, my dear Ann!!! Does living not all that far away from Shankesville sill make you shudder?

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  5. I am crying from the first video. Such a sweet little girl. Sept 11 really harmed many. I feel so horrible for all the little one effected.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, my dear Lady Lilith!!! Yes, the repercussions of those heinous acts carry much further than just the count of those who actually died at the scenes.

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