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Never Forget

I debated whether or not I wanted to post today, because we try so hard each year to make it a “normal” day.  But I still can’t let it go by unrecognized.  I wrote the piece below last year.  But the statistics have a grim update:  

  • The number of first responders (and others who were in the WTC area) diagnosed with cancer has climbed to almost 10,000
  • In 2017, 23 current or former members of the NYPD died of 9/11-related diseases.  That’s the same number of NYPD members who died on September 11, 2001
  • According to foundation that supports 9/11 rescue and recovery workers, there have been more losses so far in 2018 (163) than in any year since they started tabulating in 2008
  • By the end of 2018, it is expected that those who died from toxic exposure will surpass the number killed on the actual day.  NOTE: just last year, they didn’t expect this to happen until 2020.  

FROM 2017:   Please take a couple of minutes to read this. I know everyone has a lot going on…

I’m currently watching CSPAN2 coverage of the ceremonies at Ground Zero. Always a gut punch (RIP Steve and Mike).

But I wanted to let people know some other statistics, according to the WTC Health Program. It started tracking data in 2011, so anything that occurred in the first 10 years after the attacks is not included in these numbers.

-over 1300 deaths have been attributed to 9/11 related illnesses 
-92% of those were first responders
-there are nearly 77,000 survivors and responders who are enrolled
-roughly half of those enrolled have at least one certified illness attributed to 9/11
-about 6,600 have some kind of cancer, and almost 7,400 have respiratory disorders.

-it is expected that by 2020, only 3 years from now, the number of people who will have died from illnesses that can be directly attributed to 9/11 will surpass the actual number who died in the immediate attacks.

This is the reality we face. This is what we live every day. The shock of yet another friend’s diagnosis; strain of seeing friends deteriorate; another racket to attend; another name added to the list.

The worry at every cough.

And we won’t even go into the ghosts and memories that continue to haunt.

For some, “neverforget” is a hashtag that comes up once a year. And that’s very important, especially in today’s world of the divisiveness and polarization. But for many, we never forget because we just can’t. It’s always in front of us, facing us, challenging us. And we continue to fight.

If you made it this far, thank you so much for reading.

#September11 #WTC #NYPD
#NewYorksFinest
#NeverForget
#WeRemember

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Melkam Addis Amet

Happy New Year!  

Nine years ago, we found a new way to recognize 9/11.  In Ethiopia, today is Enkutatash, and it marks the beginning of their New Year.  Ethiopia’s calendar is a solar calendar, so it has different dates.  In fact, the Ethiopian calendar is always 7-8 years behind the western Gregorian, so it is actually 2011 there.

I fully believe in the universe speaking through events and actions.  In my mind, it is no coincidence that the kid who has brought us such happiness is from Ethiopia. AND that they celebrate a new year on the very day that changed our lives forever (we found out about the date connection only after he came home).  It is a constant reminder that we heal, that life goes on, and that joy can be found in each new year.  

If you’re interested in learning more about the Ethiopian calendar or Ethiopia in general, please visit www.ethiopian-online.com and/or rainbowftf.ngo

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Reflections on Social Media

Yesterday I was on Facebook the same as always.  Checked in with some of my friends, posted in a few groups, found a few book recommendations…nothing out of the ordinary.  A few hours later I went to check back in, and I had been logged out of all of my accounts across all devices.  Not only from Facebook itself, but also from Messenger.  I tried to log back in, but my ID/password was not being recognized.  I went through all of the steps to recover my account, but nothing worked.  I then went to a help page where I was asked to submit a photo ID for identity verification.  Now, this makes no sense, because I rarely use personal photos for my profile picture…so how would FB know if the photo was accurate?  Regardless, I scanned one (with redacted info) for verification.  That link was broken.  I finally gave up and went to bed.  This morning, I tried the whole process again…and it fortunately worked.

FB asked for a two-factor identification system, but wouldn’t accept the codes from the 3rd party app that THEY had recommended to me.  I kept getting the message that I could go to the FB app, then click on Menu/Settings/Security/etc to get the code verification.  Seriously?  Telling someone that they need to go to an area that is only accessible via log-in to get information that they need to log in, when they can’t log in to begin with?  #facebooklogic

So what have I learned from this experience?  Yes, it was less than 24 hours.  No, I wasn’t going through FB withdrawal.  What concerns me is the suddenness.  There was no warning. I don’t know how I got logged out of my accounts.  I didn’t do it. I realized that nearly all of the contacts I have made are solely through FB.  For the most part, that isn’t too worrisome because we know how FB friends can be, but I have some potential work contacts and it would be a problem to lose access to them.

The re-verification process was unnecessarily complicated, but I found out that it could be simpler.  

  1. Add a cell number to your account.  I resisted doing so, because I didn’t want them to have that info.  It would have saved me a lot of time if I had had it connect though.
  2. Add trusted friends.  FB allows you to add 3-5 friends who will be allowed to send you a link to gain access to your account if you ‘ve been locked out.
  3. Never assume that it can’t happen to you.  I was waaaaay more political in 2016-2017 than I have been recently.  I would have expected it back then; now, it is just a mystery.

Most importantly, however, is to take whatever contacts are vital to you, and make a real life connection outside of social media.  You don’t realize the reliance you have until it is inaccessible.  Make the personal connections in real life.  If they live too far away, exchange e-mails and/or phone numbers for texting.  Look at what and who matter, and make sure you don’t lose them. 

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BOOK REVIEW: “Petals and Stones”

Joanne Burn
9/06/2018

Guys, this is one you don’t want to miss!  The catalysts for the story are two things a woman hopes to never have to deal with in her marriage, and the main character, Uma, has to deal with them both in a short amount of time.  Her journey as she deals with the emotions brought about by the events, while trying to recover and rediscover herself, is poignant but also thought-provoking.  I know that it made me take a step back and answer some of the same questions Uma asked herself.  Fortunately for me, my answers were different…but it definitely made me recognize some important things I had overlooked.  My Goodreads review is below.

This exploration of what happens when two different life-changing events collide into one big maelstrom of emotion is hauntingly beautiful.  Joanne Burn has created a story that is both reflective and thought-provoking.  As Uma recovers from the one-two punch of events, she is forced to re-evaluate her life choices.  Through Uma’s journey, the author explores issues such as the emphasis on image over truth in a marriage, whether something built on a lie is sustainable, and why it sometimes takes a tragedy to recognize the reality of a situation.  The author also uses symbolism effectively, specifically the lighting of fires (for cooking or warmth) to illustrate Uma’s inner fire being relit.  I especially liked that she used the four elements (air, fire, water, earth) as a basis for Uma’s healing: the way Uma was swept along by the breeze of her marriage (and the winds that signify change as she comes to her realizations), the previously mentioned fires, the ocean that calls to Uma and invigorates her, and the spices, stones, and flower petals that finally give her the answers she has been looking for. An excellent book that should be at the top of anyone’s TBR list!  Thank you to NetGalley, Legend Press, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.         

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Tough one

The rain absolutely poured down, literally creating ponds and streams on and around the fields.  Fortunately, they play on turf.  Unfortunately, we stood in mud.  It’s what we do.

They lost 2-1, so it was a tough way to start the season.  But, they lost to this team by 5-7 goals twice last season, so we are going with “they made great improvement.”  

I think it’s going to take us until tomorrow to dry out.

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It ain’t fair

Why can we get the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying match between Equatorial Guinea and Sudan, from Equatorial Guinea, yet STILL NOT GET A FREAKING MLB GAME?!?!?

And don’t even get me started on Turkish soccer….

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Opening Day

Today is the first game of the 2018-19 DA season.  Nearly half of the team from last year didn’t make the cut for this year, so everyone is excited to see how this new team fares.  Reports from practices over the past month have been largely positive.  

It’s been super hot all week, and today it’s raining (of course).  I won’t complain…can’t imagine standing in 100+ heat.  And I definitely won’t miss worrying my kid’s hydration when the turf is usually 10-15 degrees hotter.  

Good luck to all DA teams today!

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A look at the future

This evening’s entertainment is the international friendly between the USMNT and Brazil.  The record isn’t great (Brazil is at 17-1-0 against the US), but it’s exciting to see the younger players out there.  Hopefully, they’ll really start building towards the next World Cup sooner rather than later.  Now if they could just a good coach and strengthen the defense….

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BOOK REVIEW: “All That Was Lost”

Alison May
9/06/18

If you have a secret, do you have to lie in order to keep it a secret?  Or is it possible to be truthful and still keep your secret?  Can keeping a secret and lying about it negatively impact your well-being?

This was a fantastic book that explores these questions in an approachable and thought-provoking manner.  Patrice is a well-known psychic who hires Leo to ghostwrite her autobiography.  Through Patrice’s flashbacks to 1967, the reader gains insight as to her motivations.  Leo has his own story that intertwines with Patrice’s, as does Louise.  These three main characters’ points of view intertwine nicely without the reader feeling jarred when a perspective changes.  There are a couple of minor twists, and a few major ones, but this isn’t a thriller.  It’s more of a reflection on how life can throw us curveballs, how we deal with those curveballs, and how our actions can affect others.  A really great read from Alison May. 

(For more on this book, see my review on Goodreads!)

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Social Media

Still working on the widgets (and apparently learning a whole new vocabulary). For the time being, if you want to follow me elsewhere, you’ll have to copy and paste the links into your browser.  Sorry for the inconvenience; I’ll update when I get the links active.  

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