9/11 is Here Again...Here's to the Ship of Friends...Again....

One year ago tonight I woke at 3am and needed to write.  It was 9/11 again, and I wrote about the idea that we are at times lucky enough to be thrown together by life's circumstances to be close to people...who are or become our deep friends....so deep that we think of ourselves on a mystical, magical sailing ship with them...on a forever cruise...on a wonderful plane of friendship, deep friendship, like brother-sister, like lovers, like best friends, like battle buddies...we would do anything to save their life...they would save ours...

That night one year ago, I remembered Captain Mark Hoog, our CIBU honorary doctoral honoree, who was bonded for lifetime friendship with UAL Captain Jason Dahl, the Captain of United 93...that friendship stands forever in time.  It honors all of us.

That night one year ago, I was sharing my 'Ship of Friends" with a precious few....some alums of CIBU who understood deeply...some dear new friends who poured over every word of what was written.  Hearts were opened forever on these moments.  These moments were so opened to love and respect, they can never be closed.  They stand forever in time.

So, where are we?  One year later.  We still stand forever in time....on the Ship of Friends.  These bonds cannot be broken.  No vows were taken.  No pledges were spoken.  Only sacred memory traces deeply honor our lost heroes.  That is all we have, after all.  What is written fades.  What is painted erodes.  We have what is the life within our hearts...and it is up to us....as long as we can...as long as we live...as long as we believe...that life will go on.

Ship of Friends.  Welcome Again!!!

9/11 is here again, its almost morning....the smell of fresh coffee awaits me...the morning sun arises in the East...we are together again.