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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/2604-.html
For Authors: September 10, 2008 Issue [#2604]

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  Edited by: fyn
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters

...

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that bible at home
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love


Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day....
~~~Alan Jackson


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Letter from the editor

September 11th, 2001.

9-11

A day and a series of events that is forever burned into my memory and into the collective consciousness of millions of people worldwide.

It seems forever ago now...seven years....and then again, it seems like yesterday. I grew up in the shadows of the World Trade Center. I ate at the restaurant at the Top of The World. When I think of NYC, I see the skyline in my mind and today it still includes the towers. Seeing the NYC skyline today, it seems empty. And, to this day...it sounds loud...echoing sounds overlapping and in the middle of those mind images is one of a five year old girl with long pigtails flying wearing a pink coat. A photograph of my daughter spinning around on the street, looking up and up and up at the towers that she once said seemed to go all the way to heaven.

Where were you when the world stopped turning...that September day?

I was in Maine, watching it all play out on television. I remember thinking that I was glad I was in Maine. I felt safe. Until I realized that the terrorists had stayed in a hotel the night before that was less than ten miles from my house....until I realized that the photo of one of the terrorists responsible was someone I'd seen. I recognized the photo because he'd been a cabdriver on the Alewife run outside of Boston, and I'd been in his cab many times. I'd sat in the backseat of his cab looking at his picture. There was no doubt in my mind and I picked up the phone and called the police.

I remember my mother calling from Illinois, frantic because she couldn't reach my brother and she didn't want him to go to work that day at the the Prudential Building in Boston where he worked at the Top of the Hub restaurant on the top floors. He couldn't have though, as by then, they had closed Boston down.

I remember reaching him and waking him up. I told him to turn on the TV. He asked me what channel and I told him it didn't matter. On the phone together, we watched as the first tower fell.

I remember how quiet the skies were. And I remember how terrified I was the first time I heard a plane after that. We were only a few miles from Kennibunk, Maine and fighter jets were in the skies above it.

I worked for an advertising agency. One of our accounts was Cantor Fitzgerald. I had a deadline of September 11th for rewritten copy for a new brochure we'd been working on for them. I'd emailed it the night before.

Where were you when the world stopped turning...that September day?

I will never forget.





Editor's Picks

In remembrance.....

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This item number is not valid.
#1464287 by Not Available.


 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1463081 by Not Available.


 A Soldier's Wife  (E)
A poem I wrote after 9-11 when I realized my role as wife is important to my soldier
#1458709 by Carrion


 9-11 in the eyes of a child.  (E)
9-11 through the eyes of a child who is not from the USA.
#1424087 by venus


 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1379581 by Not Available.


 NY Daffodils  (E)
Palindrome for Cramp about daffodils in New York commemorating losses in 9-11.
#1256262 by IdaLin


 American Soldier  (E)
A poem based on the response to 9-11
#1211855 by NineSpeed


 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1174335 by Not Available.


Empty Skies  (13+)
9-11 in retrospect.
#1156114 by Lobelia is truly blessed





 
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Ask & Answer

First off--I have to wish WDC the happiest of birthdays! To StoryMaster and StoryMistress, I raise my pen in salute to those behind the finest writing site it has ever been my fortune to experience. This site has helped me to refine my writing, to learn and grow as a writer, to become a better reviewer and to make many friends. And for that, I humbly thank you.

Now for some feedback from my last newsletter....

Raine wrote:Got to love the customer service industry. Laugh Customers take for granted that we are slave labor and common courtesy is unnecessary. This holds true for those afflicted by rising gas prices and the surcharge costs of using plastic to pay, as well as those in retail stores or restaurants. Life and the small slices we see of it everyday are wonderful tools for studying human nature. As writers, it is a perfect bubble to toss our characters into and stress test them against “reality”. That is, if we are able to retain our sanity while doing so.

How very true!

Ronis brain tumor is gone! wrote:This is a great way to get your muse going from the days best customers!! I always told my customers when I was cashiering, "Have a great day with a big smile on my face!" Kindness Kills and I believe that so much...

I love how customers are always right! I love the "I know the manager" routine and then not r ealizing you are the mananger....I am sure that you have lots of characters from the best customers!

I cashiered 3 years pregnant out of 8 years! I was call everything in the book too! Loved it when I would get cussed at when I was 5 months pregnant, when the customer left would go to the bathroom and cry (due to hormones)and come back like nothing ever happened! Customers were more amazed by that then anything else!!!

So glad you've been enjoying the convenience store series :)

StephBee - House Targaryen wrote:Fyn,
((hugs)) I know it's hard being in customer service like that. I deal with people on the phones so it's not so bad because I'm not face to face, but I know you don't have it easy. Good job about "rage," it's emotional range and how we can play it in our writing. Two thumbs up.

Thank you, my friend.


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