This morning my sister, Christine, and I ran/jogged/walked a 5K in honor of firefighters who lost their lives in the twin towers on September 11, 2001. Christine is a runner, who just recently ran the San Francisco Marathon, so she ran. I was the jogger/walker. I had been contemplating entering a 5K for the past couple of months and when I heard this one advertised on KAT 103.3 last week I decided that this would be the one.
With the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 approaching I was reminded of the helplessness I felt on that day. Watching the towers fall on live television there was nothing I could do but cry and pray. Later that day there was a special Mass at St. Stanislaus Church to attend. On the way home, hoping that there would be survivors in need of blood, I stopped at the Delta Blood Bank to donate. There was a long line of people there already and the workers were sending everyone home. Again, feelings of helplessness and disappointment.
Watching television coverage of the many memorials planned for this weekend reminded me of the helplessness I felt ten years ago. Being a part of this special event eased that. Participants in the 5K were given a lanyard with the photo and name of a hero firefighter who died that day. All along the way there were volunteers pointing us in the right direction and waving our flag. I finished in just over 43 minutes, which isn't anything to write home about, but it is a start. I plan to enter more of these events. I've needed something to challenge me a little more and maybe I've found it.
