twenty-something

After sending out my annual 9/11 Email to my friends and family on Monday, I was humbled by the flood to responses I got to it. Touched, even. I wasn't expecting (or, as it may have sounded, begging for) replies, but I got them, in droves, and it made me feel... well, special. As a boy from Vermont, I can't say that I was any more or less effected by the events of five years ago, but this time of year gets to me. It makes me want -- no, need -- to connect and reconnect, to give love and feel it. More so than Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day... whatever. September is my reflective time.

I don't know why, but I feel compelled to share some of the more touching or humorous responses here.

"Wow. Let me start by saying that I am glad this was not a suicide note. In fact, it was very sweet..."

"Hey Patrick, Thanks for the email. I found myself frustrated yesterday with the focus on the destruction that happened five years ago...it kind of put me in a weird mood. Thank you for bringing my focus back to the good that has come from the tragedy, the family and friends that we hold dear and the realization that we need to live authentically and in the moment. No Day But Today!"

"I love you sooo much!!! You mean the world to me. Thank you for holding me at the one time in my life that I thought I would fall. Be forever optimistic and please find true love so that you are truly happy!!! Love of my life from day one, June 28,1980. --Mom"

"Thank you for your email yesterday. Yesterday was a strange and powerful day. Though I did not make it down to the WTC, I was, at night, able to see the monumental lights shine throughout the night. I don't know that I have ever seen something so powerful. You could tell throughout the day the somber mood. Everyone was, again, closer to one another..."

"I was so moved by this e-mail and humbled to receive it... There are so few things in my life that I look back upon and wish I had done something differently - getting to know you better is one of those few things..."

"Hello friend, This e-mail reminds me of why you are so special to me. Thanks for sharing this. Hey I also thought of you recently for another reason. I just got the new West Elm catalog and spent time thinking about all of the things that I want to get "one day when I win the lottery"..."

"You should write a book, your writing even in just this email is amazing. I had to hold back tears cause I am at work. I hope life is treating you well, I love you so much!"

"That was a really nice email, it must have been really surreal being at ground zero this weekend. I stumbled upon your blog a few months ago. I saw a thing on the news about how people don't realize there are crazy pictures of them on the web and then when they go to interview for a job their perspective hirer googles them and finds the pictures. I was trying to think of anyone who might have a crazy picture of me and I thought of the Catalina picture (though let's be honest, if someone saw that they would definitely hire me). I googled you and the blog came up. Every time you mention Yelli, I get excited because I know her and I feel like she's a celebrity..."

"Aw shucks, you made me blush. But thank you :-)."

"You're AMAZING and I love that song as it is powerful! Thanks to you for being an important part of our lives at 53 Bartlett Street as well! I am so happy about your move here and look forward to seeing you in the near future!"

"That's beautiful Pat. I had tears in my eyes reading it and tears thinking of you guys being there yesterday for that. Very powerful & moving I'm sure. Thanks for making me stop and think..."