9/11

I was at work on 9/11/01, when I learned of the tragedy that was unfolding in real time back on the east coast. Of course, we're 3 hours behind, so the attack was complete but the towers were in the process of collapsing, and bits of news were drifting through the office. I took a sick day (I was truly feeling ill) and I went home.

I make my living in aviation, I grew up in aviation and I love everything about aviation. I could not believe anyone would take my passion and use it as a weapon, taking so many innocent victims in the process. As many of us recall, everything in the air was put on the ground, with the exception of Air Force One and necessary military aircraft. I live near a lake right next to SeaTac International Airport in Seattle, so I paddled to the middle of the lake and sat in the total silence. I was devastated, in shock. After I accepted the fact that it was all real, I went back to the house and wrote this:

Quiet Skies

I see the sky. Blue. Silent. Empty.

My joy, my heart, aviation mute

I walk in a dream as my soul cries

For the dead. For the loss.

I bury my anger in sorrow

Then I played this Crosby Stills & Nash song, over, and over, and over

Find the Cost of Freedom

Find the cost of freedom buried in the ground

Mother earth will swallow you, lay your body down

The harmonies in that tune haunted me, it seemed the lyrics were waiting for that day. I found comfort there.