Today is the twentieth anniversary of 9/11.
As I type this my new Puerto Rican kitten, Koda, is trying to jump on keyboard.
It is my grandfather's birthday today, Carroll M. Berg, Sr. His thoughts when the events unfolded?
"I hate my birthday. I will always hate my birthday."
I could never have Gramps do that. In his memory I send birthday cards each year to a service member who has the same birthday, letting them know that this date, although clothed in sadness, also spreads so much amazing power.
A man who had four children who went on to be unique individuals.
A man who served at Check Point Charlie, at a time when Berlin was divided into East and West.
A man who would do what he could with what he was given - which was his incredible intelligence and ability to question. I like to think I have inherited that.
A man who stood to his principles, believed in them, yet respected others. He loved our country. My grandfather loved Vermont. I still have the postcard he sent me from the 802 when I was maybe seven years old. The beginning of an addiction for that paper format? Probably so.
A man who told me the funniest story of a monkey who chased him through Berlin, and shared this with my toddlers, who would, "look for the monkey under the bed!" when we would visit him. After hearing this tale, I understood where my fear of monkeys came from!
This photo of us is from my brother and sister-in-law's wedding years ago (hence I had long pre-cancer hair!). The smiles. Love.
I miss my 5:00pm phone calls with Gramps. The exchanges of the Jumbles from the newspapers. I went forward with his influence and now send and give so many people clippings from the Boston Sunday Globe. He taught me to explore everything - not just what I studied in school. Be a learner of all. Be an independent female (he was adamant about that)! He loved that I had a menagerie (all my pets) and would probably laugh today at all the animals I have, as he himself grew up on a farm.
I wanted to honor him on his birthday, my grandfather, Grampy, Carroll. Tomorrow I will be attending an Honor Flight to support veterans as they go to visit Washington, DC. It's the least I can do for the people who have made this country what it is for my sons and I. Is the USA perfect? Heck no. Is any nation? Never. But we grow And my grandfather taught me that - with his tomato plants and telling those damn squirrels to get out of his garden. You grow. Life gets better.
Grampy, yesterday after the 9/11 silence I told my students about your service. They were humbled and asked questions. To me this was just one more influence you have had on the world. Let us continue...
