9/11, I Remember. I Am Reminded Of The Good.

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A Day In September

We all remember the tragic events on 9/11. It’s still as clear as day, a sunny day for me. I can also still picture when I heard Kennedy was killed. Seeing my mother cry, and looking up on the kitchen wall and seeing a metal plate with his face on it. Clear as day.

A clear day

These events were and are still extremely tragic and reminders of how horrible we can all be to each other. But I also remember how we can be good to each other. And as we all know, 99% of all of us are good. I am reminding us all that the good in us always wins, and is far far far more powerful than division, or tragedy.

A united world

We are United, not divided, it’s so easy to focus on a negative than a positive. In fact its hard to see good in things painful. As I write this, I am even thinking it could come off insensitive and clueless. People died, and the world was torn apart. BUT, good has and always will rise above.

LOVE

So what good came of all this crap? Think back. We all were United, we all were ONE. We all had clarity and resolve. We looked at each other and cared for all of us. We stopped and focused on the good, to heal us. We took in strangers to help. We flew one flag. The American Flag. Our flag! Our United States Flag. And all around the planet, others were United for humanity.

I am always reminded of how incredibly special our first responders are. You want a reminder again of all this, think about what we are going through now. The first responders, are going through hell. But sadly we are not united. We are not seeing the clarity of this pandemic, we are somehow mixing politics into it, and if there is anything powerful to remember about 9/11 today, is how powerful we can be together.

We ride with history

Now, sorry, if you are here for Woody boat stuff. Here is the connection as trivial as it may seem. It’s so easy to focus on all the negatives in our community. Varnishing all the time, engines breaking down, finding parts, no boat shows, but if you focus on the positive, of the joy you feel when all is running right, and the satisfaction when you figure out how to get your engine working again. If you focus on the love and family joy your boat gives you. Focus on the history you are preserving and still enjoying. The ability to suspend yourself in a timeless moment. And focus on our time together when we can get together again. No matter if our passion is Wood, Fiberglass or Aluminum. We are a united community. We are united in our insanity and love of all thats good. 9/11 I remember. And Reminded.

16 replies
  1. Greg Lewandowski
    Greg Lewandowski says:

    Well said Matt, and let us remember and pray for all the great Americans that were lost on that tragic day.

  2. Mark in da U P
    Mark in da U P says:

    Very well said Matt. I am always reminded of Alan Jackson’s song on this day. 🎶Where were you when the world stopped turning. In that song he sings about faith hope and love. The three best things there are. Let’s never forget 🇺🇸

  3. Carla
    Carla says:

    Bravo, Matt, for such an inspiring message this morning. For me, it’s the best article you’ve ever written and you have produced MANY, my friend!
    God bless those we lost on 9/11/01, their loved ones and America in general. Right now, we are in the midst of some very difficult and uncertain times as well. We must stay strong and stay united!🙏. GOD BLESS AMERICA.

  4. floyd r turbo
    floyd r turbo says:

    “We flew one flag. The American Flag. Our flag! Our United States Flag”. God bless the first responder’s, their families, and those who lost a loved one in this attack. The nation could use a giant hug but I’m of the opinion a kick in the ass would be more appropriate.

  5. Jeffrey Martinson
    Jeffrey Martinson says:

    Well said, Matt! Your sentiments remind me of those expressed during another time of division and loss…

    “[T]hat we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
    ~ Abraham Lincoln, 1863

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