Walking In Each Other's Shoes

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September 11, 2020

Wow… Here we are.  The 19^th anniversary of one of the most tragic moments in our nation’s history.  On this day in 2001 I was writing.  Just as I’ve done for 26 years.  Every thought before the towers were turned into physical nightmares and each and every emotion that followed not just on September 11^th but every day, month and year that’s followed.  So many thoughts moving through this system of choice.  For 19 years this day has been extremely heavy to carry.  I think about it weeks before the anniversary and after.  While walking through the forest yesterday I let my thoughts get away from me.  I reflected on the other horrific moments this generation has endured but to concentrate on just us isn’t being fair to those that shaped us.  Before Ronald Reagan my parents had JFK.  My grandparents had to deal with bombs dropped on Japan.  So many thoughts moving through this system of choice.  On this podcast episode I come clean about what it’s been like to be a daily writer for 26 years.  I ask, “What if I hadn’t made that choice? Walking the way of the holder instead.”  Writing frees the mind.  It allows the everyday moments and challenges to be nothing more than a whisper.  The writer is a warrior whereas the radio person is just another voice.  The writer is a chance taker.  The total view from the writing instrument isn’t always understood.  Which I love because being a writer creates a path for readers and receivers to develop their own interpretation.  I’ve always called it a blizzard white canvas.  The creative mind being given the opportunity to breathe.  So many thoughts and I want to share them all.  Hmmm maybe not as a physical voice but rather a writer.  It’s an election year.  We’re in a pandemic and our streets in America are a battleground.  My father was extremely stern when he’d warn us, “Mind your own business.”  I didn’t become a reporter or journalist because of structure and command.  Our way or hit the highway.  To my left are the extremely protective boxes that hold every word set free on this day 19 years ago.  The shock.  The fear, doubt and blinded journey of having no idea as to what to expect next.  Words on a page.  I posted on Facebook yesterday that it’s truest reach and purpose is to do nothing more than give my grandchildren’s children the experience.  Which might prove to be important during a time and age where it truly feels like decision makers and national leaders are doing everything they can to erase history.  So many thoughts moving through this system of choice.  How do you digest the existence of the present?  A selfie stashed on your smartphone is just a picture.  Writing every day is the photograph that comes with a thousand words.