Remember 9/11

Ask anyone over 50, and they can tell you where they were on two specific days in history - the day President Kennedy was assassinated and September 11, 2001. Any adult under 50, of course remembers 9/11. Both were days that changed the course of history for America, but 9/11 changed the course of history for the world. While thousands of many nationalities died that day, many more thousands were saved thanks to the efforts of previously unknown heroes who gave their lives to prevent further tragedy.

While our military and first responders went to work that day knowing they could be in harm's way, others just went to work. Yes, this is a day that we all remember how fortunate we are to live in a free nation and what it cost so many to keep us that way.

Innovation

Product innovation doesn't always mean new products. Sometimes we just need to give an old product to a two year old to figure out a new way to use it. For example, what better way to keep oversized sunglasses from sliding down your nose than to turn them upside down. Sometimes we spend too much time inventing when we could spend more time innovating. Just ask a child.

Sunbeams

September marks the beginning of fall. Leaves that change color first stand out among those that wait to the end. Late afternoon beams of warm-toned sunlight add brilliance to the early changing gold leaves in stark contrast to the green holdouts.

Bright beams of sunlight always seem so dramatic. They represent a supernatural level of energy, motion, a bold new beginning, a burst of power. The source of light is so intense, we can't look directly at it, yet in contrast to darkness, light brings out the color of everything around us. In fact, the smallest amount of light will always penetrate the greatest amount of darkness, but darkness cannot overpower light.

Gates

There's something about a gate that ensures a certain amount of privacy and security. Some gates are made of steel and have barbed wire across the top to discourage intruders. Others are more aesthetically appealling and would barely keep a three year old out. But no matter what the purpose, gates stir our curiosity, define our boundaries, and send a message that sometimes we just want to be alone. You can look, but please don't come into my space until I open the gate.

Big brother

It’s the first day of school and my big brother is off to kindergarten. For three years he has played with me and protected me. He’s been with me through diaper changes, food fights, spankings, sleepless nights and tantrums. He helped me learn to walk and talk. He’s been my translator when no one else could understand what I was saying. He’s my sports hero, my favorite T-ball player, basketball star, football fanatic and NASCAR fan. Now, he’s going to school. Someday, I guess I will, too, but no matter what happens, he will still be my big brother, my hero.

Dad

There’s nothing like dad when it comes to crossing the line. We’ve been told for years not to cross the tracks alone. There are warning lights and gates that we need to heed. It’s not always safe. Crossing can be dangerous. It’s like there’s a new world on the other side that’s waiting to be explored but not until we’re ready.
Finally, the warning lights are off, the gate is up, and we reach for dad’s hand to help us across. It’s the first day of school and Dad is crossing the tracks with me. To a mom and dad, it’s kindergarten and they know how many years of school are ahead. To a five-year old, it’s a rite of passage, and they are only thinking about the next few hours, or perhaps the next few days. Until now, time has been marked by events like morning, lunch, afternoon, supper, bath, bedtime, etc. Now, it will be marked by clocks and bells.
As we grow older, there will be many warning lights and gates to warn us of the dangers of “crossing the tracks.” How well did we learn to watch for them? Will we see them all? Will we heed the warnings? Will someone be there to take our hand and help us across? Who will it be?

Blurred by a bubble

Today our daughter, son-in-law and their two girls are somewhere on top of the earth flying from Hong Kong to Toronto after a six-month employer assignment. While I’ve done the top-of-the-world flights a few times, fifteen hours is fifteen hours no matter how many time zones you go through or from which direction. By the end of the flight, life is a blur because you’ve been in this high speed bubble about fourteen hours too long and like this little boy, no matter how fast you go, it’s still a blur until time catches up. While I don’t envy Troy and Kim as they emerge from the Air Canada bubble with two realllly tired little girls, it will be great to have them back.

But think about it, aren’t we all in a bubble of some kind? How do we deal with it? Do we let it blur our vision or the vision others have of us? Do we keep running faster and faster hoping the bubble will get bigger, or do we try and outrun the bubble hoping it will eventually burst, and we will emerge unharmed on the other side? Are you trapped in a high-speed bubble that just won’t let go? Is time catching up with your bubble? When your bubble finally breaks, will anyone recognize you? Perhaps it’s time to think about the real you.