Sunday, September 11, 2016

Remembering

On September 11, 2001 I'm in my office when someone tells me about a plane crashing into the World Trade Center.

I remember getting up and walking back to the dining room where a television hung on the wall for homeless men to watch after dinner and several were watching as I enter the room including Charles, my six-foot-two, African-American, former bank robber, mentally ill, “adopted” son.

I stand and watch the smoldering hole in the building ... then the second plane hits and Charles grabs my arm squeezing it tightly. He's shaking with fear and I tensed in disbelief at the explosion as Charles grabs me ... I almost came out of my skin.

Turning from the television I look at him and he's bent over as though trying to hide behind me ... he shakes and his eyes are full of fear .... his hand grips on my shoulder.

Charles has been with us for a few years at this time and is as stable as he had ever been ... he cleaned the building, eats Oreo cookies like a kid, and mostly talks to himself.

He writes letters to the President meaning I get regular visits from Bill at the F.B.I. though except for when he's talking to himself --- laughing or cussing loudly --- Charles never shows much emotion.

This is the first time that I see him frightened.

“Sir,” he said in his deep voice as I stare in his face and put my arm around him, “do you think that they will come for us?”

I can’t believe how scared he is but who know how his mentally ill mind was taking it in as I glance back at the television in disbelief at what I'm seeing ... not knowing how or why ... I make myself think about him.

“No Charles. We’re just a homeless shelter. No one is coming after us.”

“Why not?” He shoots back as his head's on his knees standing behind me still holding on to my arm and shaking, “You get us government money.”

My head shakes in another kind of disbelief.

How do you answer something like that?

I have no words for him.

So I hug him tight and say I'll take care of him.

Whenever September 11 comes around I can't help but remember this.

Our nation changed that day.

Fundamentalism of any kind is a cruel and evil thing be it Muslim or Christian or any other brand.

Lives were lost because people’s religious and political views are as perverted as Charles’ ability to think rationally.

When all is said and done, it is about how we treat one another at the individual level. What happened between Charles and me that day is as significant as anything else that day.

People hugged one another and cried as we witnessed tragedy beyond comprehension.

So it is right to remember what our country lost ... but it's also right to remember it reminded us how much we need one another ... in the end will be there for each other.

That's what today means.