My Friend & 9.11

Ya know, I’ve always been a believer that we go through things in life that will better equip us to love & connect with one another. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Some things explainable.⁣⁣ The others, like 9/11, not at all.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ We’re humbled, hurt, scared & scarred — but never alone, always together.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Although moments, days, months & years may feel particularly terrible, it’s people that remind us that even in our differences, love is a universal language. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Living in Germany has been a unique experience. For many months I was unable to communicate with anyone who wasn’t able to communicate with me. I quickly fell into a hole of feeling helpless and useless. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Until she came along.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ On my walk home from the train every afternoon, I saw her. High in the nursing home window, she sat, almost as if she was put there just for me. I waved one morning - a shock to myself, watching my hand move bold & free, like my mouth refused to do. To my surprise, she waved back with a love so evident, it brought a tear to my eye. She had seen me, and I her. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ We continued our routine for weeks - I’d walk by every afternoon at approximately 2:35 and find her perched in her upstairs, glass corner waiting for me with a wave & a smile. Every day I hoped for her and every day she watched for me.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Until one day, she wasn’t there anymore. My friend, worn by years of history I’d never know & stories I only wish I could hear, was gone. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ She didn’t know me from Adam.⁣ She didn’t know where I came from or who I went home to at the end of the day. ⁣ She didn’t know who I prayed to.⁣ She didn’t know my political preference.⁣ And she didn’t care. ⁣ She just knew I needed love.⁣ And I think, she needed it too.⁣ ⁣ ⁣Ya know they say, love can save us all. It can bind us without words & lead us without armies. It can connect us with touches so tender & voices so sweet. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ And hand in hand with time, it can heal us once more.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I’m learning to lean on love — to let fear, frustration & insecurity fall aside and rely on the goodness that comes from realizing: we’re all in this together. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Because we are. ⁣⁣ And that’ll always be enough. ⁣ Love will always be enough. #neverforget