Eleven September 11ths

It is a day when the sky is bright blue, majestic and expands far beyond our grasp, into the universe where we are the smallest specks of dust inside a pocket of vastness. And still, so much on this planet, in this country revolves around this day.

September 11th. 

I do remember clearly how it felt to see the chaos unfold. I can conjure up the swell of hopelessness and pride and fear and questioning just by thinking about the images of buildings falling into a silencing cloud of ash. I still feel the pain in my friends' voices as they honor people they loved who were lost that day, and I still cry when I read or see a story about a grieving family, a remaining mystery, and even the moments of hope that have risen up from all the dust and steel and bones.

All these years later, I know I want to do justice to all that happened that day. I want to explain it well, with heart and tears and compassion and clarity, to my son. I want to add my prayers to the collective. I want to look out on my own skyline with continued awe and gratitude. I want to hold on to what it felt like to be alive and an American that day, and I want to pass that along to my child's children so they can grasp why it was a turning point. I want to be sure to pause, to look back, even as we are walking forward.

Reflect with me:

• Ten Elevenths: Teaching 9/11 to a kid who loves bad guys
• Songs to remember September 11th
• Thankful: Life goes on
• A 9/11 meditation and another 9/11 meditation

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E, elevated

Inside a tornado at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. 

The light upon his face, the expression as he gazed up, and the swirling steam reminded me of this meditation by Rodney Yee, the yogi whose videos we loved when we were standing in the eye of our own storm.

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Grandmothers giving birth to their grandchildren: Would you let your mother be your surrogate?

Another grandmother has birthed her own grandchild, this time in Maine. It’s happened plenty of  times before (and before and before) and the science isn’t that new (or at least shiny) anymore. Still, it’s a topic we need to discuss just because of the inevitable reaction to the concept of this kind of conception. Science has tangled up the generations in these cases, which is fascinating, a wonder, and also (let’s be honest), kind of strange.

Good? Bad? Gasp? Glee? Inspiration to have THAT TALK with your own mom? Whatever your response, I imagine you have a response.

Read and react on Sassafrass Says So.

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