I wasn’t there. No one that I knew at the time was there.  Due to the miracle of the interwebz and twitter and blogs, I now know people who were. While I cannot know how they feel today,I imagine that it ranges from sadness to anger to pain to relief.  I’m sure that they still get a whiff of that smell, whether real or imagined, in the same way that I still get a whiff of my long-passed Grandma’s perfume here and there.

My cousin is a firefighter and I’m certain he feels the pain of loss of so many of his brothers, even though they were so far away.

I was angry that the flag in the middle of our city was at the top of the pole today – is it really so hard to drop that down to half? To honor?

There are a lot of crazy people in this country, and they tend to get most of the press, but I won’t ever get the images of that day out of my mind’s eye. That, to me, is more important that the nuts out there.

I have nothing against building a mosque near Ground Zero…hell, put up a building for every faith if you want – religious freedom is what built this country and that shouldn’t change because some idiots decided they wanted to hurt us and fly planes into our buildings.

It’s been 9 years, but we should never forget the people that lost their lives that day; the rescue workers, the firemen, the civilians who risked their own lives to help.  The families of all of those involved, one way or another.

I remember standing on the top of the World Trade Center like it was yesterday and I still have trouble comprehending that it’s gone, even though I’ve seen the evidence first hand.

To all of those touched by those events on that day, I send you hugs and strength and hope. Our country might seem crazy these days, but no matter what, I’ll never forget.

I was never lucky enough to meet you in person, but I am so thankful I’ve gotten to know you through your mom and dad and so many others online. The pictures and videos of you never fail to make me smile or even laugh aloud. You had a love for life that is unmatched by anyone I have ever come across in all my years.  You are missed by so many people; people that never met you, but were still touched by you.

Your mom and dad are extraordinary people…I know they won’t agree, but you and I know the truth, don’t we? They miss you more than words can describe, but have persevered and done amazing things in the past seven months….the amount of money they have raised in your name for other babies and the March of Dimes, the support packs for people with babies in the NICU in your honor; so many things they have accomplished and will continue to do to keep your memory alive forever.  Really, all they want is you, and honestly? It sucks that you had to go.  I know, you’re doing good things where you are, keeping an eye on them, helping Binky grow strong, welcoming others with that fabulous grin of yours.  Oh, that grin…

But you were supposed to turn two years old today; there was supposed to be a big party for you with love and laughter and cream puffs. Instead, around the world (well, the US and Canada at least, maybe further away, I don’t know for sure), people who have or haven’t met you will be wearing purple, crying and having cream puffs while thinking of you and your family.

Happy birthday, Madeline.  You are missed and loved.  My boys and I will hug your little purple monster and look at pictures of you while you dance and sing with the angels.

I know that she was born far too soon and left this earth far too early as well. I know she spent 68 days in the NICU after she was born; that she beat the odds to go home. I know that she was gaining weight and progressing in her development well these days.  I know that the sparkle in her eyes from pictures and video never failed to get me to smile. I know her parents are devastated. I only hope that the outpouring of love from the internet – from people who know them in “real” life and otherwise – gives them some sort of comfort in the coming days. Heather and Mike love that little girl with all their hearts and it showed.

If you are so inclined to do something for this family, they have asked for donations to the March of Dimes in her name in lieu of flowers.  Please help this from happening to another family – it’s about all we can do now for little Maddie.

Rest in peace, sweetie.

Madeline Spohr

The dorkdog is not doing well. Aside from the hip problems, severe infection, inability to hear and other assorted old dog issues, he’s not eating. We’d been giving him dog meat for a while when we noticed he was starting to lose weight, but now he doesn’t even want that. We’ve tried assorted brands and styles, but no dice. The vet gave us a recipe for some food- rice, eggs, oil. Yes, sounds yummy to me, too.  We’re resorting to feeding him anything we can just to get him to eat something. We even cooked up a roast to cut up and inject his antibiotics into it; of course, he’s too smart for that and knows which piece of food has his medicine in it.

Riley is 14 this year. He’s a great dog. He, like most, was a crazy puppy. His first nickname was actually poop dog because for a long time it seemed like he was always going. He sheds like mad – crazy white hair everywhere. In fact, we can pluck him like a chicken most months of the year. He’s always been good with the boys – never had a worry with him.

He’s a great dog and I’m afraid he’s not going to be around much longer. He sleeps a lot more now and weighs less than my boys; he is skin and bones and I am so sad.