This was really hard for me to scrap. I have always wanted to scrap this picture but just couldn't. The journaling was written 9/11/02...one year after. The journaling reads as follows (BE ADVISED: there is some difficult things here to read):
September 11, 2001
Of course no one will forget that day. Joe and I called in sick to work, we were planning on doing some fun “wedding” stuff...we were woken up to his Mom screaming about plane’s crashing into the World Trade Center. We watched on TV as we held onto each other for life. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. We watched the second plane hit and the towers fall to the ground. Then it hit me. I knew you would be there. Somehow I just knew. You were working tour 2 with Mario and I knew that when you were together, you guys picked up every hot job, no matter how far away it was. We couldn’t make any phone calls, the lines were all jammed up. They made an announcement on TV for all Police, EMS and Fire personnel to go to your stations. I begged Joe to stay home but he had to go. I was getting ready to go to but he begged me to stay home. I remember hugging him like I would never see him again as he left. I paced. I watched TV. I cried. I prayed. My good friends and co-workers lived a few blocks form me and I walked over there. She told me no one had heard from Keith and Mario since they got on the scene. Then finally I couldn’t take it any longer and I went into Manhattan. I drove to the hospital without looking over the Triboro downtown. There was black smoke everywhere. The police finally let me through and I parked my car and someone drove me to Cornell. When I got there I found out Keith and Mario were “missing.” They put me on an ambulance with a bunch of other Medics and we were sent downtown. I remember just standing in the middle of it thinking it was a bad dream. There was blood, body parts, ashes and rubble everywhere. And the papers...oceans of papers knee deep in places. It was so strange that they didn’t burn. All I could think of was any minute I’d see Keith pushing a stretcher, and I’d yell at him for not letting us know where he was. But I never saw him. Or Mario. Or Jimmy. Or Yesenia. Or any of the other 20 something EMS people I know. Or any of the 15 cops that Joe knew. After 2 weeks Joe and I finally made it home. Life went on. But we still did not find Keith’s body. It wasn’t until January 2002 that they found him. They said he was found under tower 2 with his arms around a female police officer. That’s my Keith. And that is how I will always remember him. He was a caring, sensitive, thoughtful, wonderful friend and I will always miss him. But, I will always be thankful for his sacrifice, every time I look at my children because, I could have been there too. He was the one who convinced me to call in sick that day. Thank you Keith. I love ya kid.
Thank you for looking and never forget...
Date: Saturday, February 23, 2008 GMT Views: 1163
Favorited:4
Registered: June 9, 2006 Location: Here of course Posts: 6222
Sat, Feb 23, 2008 @ 9:04 PM
Wow! What an amazingly beautiful and touching page. The photo, journaling and delicate choice of stamps/paper really bring such a beauty to this page. Thank you for sharing and allowing us to also feel the bravery and honor of the ones who truly gave their all! God Bless you!
Registered: July 26, 2006 Location: In my heart center. Posts: 21893
Sun, Feb 24, 2008 @ 5:29 AM
Denise, I'm crying as I read. What a beautiful job you did. This must have been so hard...and hopefully people will ~never forget~. Always was the perfect stamp set to use.
------------------------------ JoAnn~~sarahzoe is my granddaughter~~
Registered: March 24, 2006 Location: Martinsburg, WV Posts: 862
Sun, Feb 24, 2008 @ 7:09 AM
I'm also crying. Your emotions are very evident in your eloquent journaling. The black, white, and red colors also work together to be very dramatic. Yet, the bird and heart elements add a sense solemn.
Thank you so much for your submission to this challenge and thank you even more for opening up such a sacred part of your heart.
------------------------------ Rebecha, aka The Garage Sale Diva
Registered: June 6, 2006 Location: Stamp Heaven Posts: 11238
Sun, Feb 24, 2008 @ 11:02 AM
Denise,
The tears keep falling.
TY for sharing this. My heart breaks for all the special people who were lost that day but it also sings for all the wonderful people like your friends, who gave their lives to help others. Thank you for what you did that day to help. I know it wasn't easy and the memory will stay with you the rest of your life. Just remember all the good that has come out and will continue to come out from that day.
------------------------------ BLOG RedHatStamper.net WI CURDS
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Teapot Tuesday TEAm
Registered: February 23, 2007 Location: Brooksville FL Posts: 19774
Sun, Feb 24, 2008 @ 4:39 PM
Wow, Denise, I am so humbled at this moment. I am finding it hard to find the words to express what I want to say. This tribute is uplifting and beautiful. How great that you were finally able to put this down and remember and speaking of remembering, thank you for reminding me to remember and never forget. Bless you and bless your courage and strength. You are an amazing young woman.
------------------------------ Jean2009 Stamping Royalty, Papercraft Magazine; Splitcoaststampers Dirty Dozen, 2016; Proud Fan Club Member; Teapot Tuesday TEAm
Registered: July 26, 2005 Location: Back in Oregon! Posts: 18199
Mon, Feb 25, 2008 @ 11:42 PM
(((((HUGS))))) Denise. Thank you for sharing that. I knew the story, but I didn't really know the story until now. The page is a wonderful tribute to your friend and partner.