Share your words



Denise Mathers Posted 9/21/01
Hamilton, New Zealand

"Everyone around the world who has shared this day [September 11, 2001], firsthand or via media, will share its emotional impact and will remember this day for the rest of their lives. I would like to see it proclaimed World Care Day. Not only as a tribute to everyone who innocently lost their lives but also to include the bigger picture and the implications of such an action on the whole world, and the compassion and sympathies shared by the whole world at this time. I would like to see it as a day that we consciously give thanks and show our appreciation to all of those people in our lives who have made a positive difference, a day that we stop and make a conscious effort to reach out to and say "I Care" to those people we love, for all those little things they have done for us that have made a difference. May World Care Day be a day to remember all those innocent people who have lost their lives to senseless terrorist acts throughout the world, and may it be a day to consciously acknowledge the people we care about, at home and throughout the world."



Sandy Messer Posted 9/21/01
Clyde, North Carolina, USA

"In the wake of things that have happened in our country, I only wish that everyone could look around them and see all the wonderful, beautiful things in this world that were put here for us! We, each one of us, has been truly blessed in our lives. If we only take the time to stop and think about it, we'll see. If your heart is filled with a feeling of appreciation and gladness for what you have, you can't help but show this to everyone you come in contact with and want to share this feeling. My fervent prayer is that everyone will take the time to stop for a moment each day and truly give thanks for the things, and the people, they have in their lives."



Bob Arth Posted 9/21/01
Wendel, Pennsylvania, USA

"My girlfriend and I weren't sure what to say to her son when he asked why so many kids had to go home from school early from his first grade class September 11. We decided to explain to him that a bad man did something to hurt a lot of people and that he had nothing to worry about because he was far away from everything that had happened. He had many questions and we did our best to answer them. He told me he wanted to become a scientist. When I asked him why, he told me that bad man must not have a heart if he did what he did so he was going to become a scientist and build him one! Then he was going to give him a bowl of water because he lives in a desert. I was amazed by his compassion! There has been enough violence already and our world can learn a lot from children like him."



Dotsua Ugidali-RedBird Feather Posted 9/21/01
Pinson, Tennessee, USA

"My family and I have a Native American Spiritual drum called Medicine River. We were at a gathering this weekend and realised how much the events of the 11th have traumatized Native Americans. Some are fighting mad, some are too sad to cope with evryday things and a few have retreated into there lodges and sacred places, all are praying. This is not only our country but the land of our ancestors. THIS is our old country. I spoke with many children who reacted in much the same way. They wanted to dance (our way of worship and fellowship) so we danced to the drum. Large and small, young and old, blessed and homeless, we danced. My husband was so moved by all of this that on his way home he was given a song of prayer. We have called it 911 to signify both the date of the invasion and the emergency our hearts are in right now. It is truely a heart song. It is in the fashion of our most ancient songs, done in vocables only, you read your own words into it."



Anne O'Brien Posted 9/21/01
Phoenix, AZ USA

"You did a wonderful job of identifying some good things that were going on when the bad things were happening. They are always there. I have been through over 60 years of things and have found that if you look, there are blessings even at the darkest of times. You DO have to look, though, and bring them to consciousness. If the world learns that war is no answer to assault, a blessing will have occurred. These acts of terrorism bring into clear focus that the ability to kill people and decimate lives does not equal power. Everyone interested in good things, think about what real power is and how to turn it positive."



Sylvia Bitter Posted 9/21/01
Israel

"I have been living in Israel for 11 years now. Life has had its wonderful ups and its horrific downs here and I see how the children of all ages are affected by these horrific terrorist attacks. Most of the little ones do not really understand, and they become angry and bad-tempered. I think it is very important for us to show our emotions to them and let them know how we are feeling so that they can feel free to talk about it too. All [the civilized population] can do is hope for a better future and to teach our children to be loving and kind, patient and tolerant of all nations and religions, and it all surely starts by the positive actions of parents, nursery school teachers and school teachers. So here is to all the parents and teachers to build a better future for the children of the human race of all religions!"



Elaine Purkey Posted 9/21/01
Lincoln County, West Virginia, USA

"Children love, simply and purely with no strings attached. We adults are the ones who complicate things. We should ALL take a lesson from this."



Fabiana Garcia Posted 9/21/01
Brazil

"I'd like to express my sadness towards USA families who lost some members or friends. I'm from Brazil and one week after the disaster I'm still shocked about that. I read the e-mail from the kindergarten teacher -- Marisa Martinez -- and I must confess that some tears came down from my face since I could imagine her situation in front of her students as well as her little students imagining what had happened. Poor little children. Everybody knows that the world will never be the same again. However, I do hope that people have more peace inside themselves and the government takes the right decision to American people."



V. Sethumdhavan Posted 9/21/01
Tamilnadu,India

"We should cultivate the habit of tolerance, non-violence and peaceful co-existence. Mahatma Gandhi, the father of Indian nation, brought freedom to India only by non-violent means. No war of independence was waged, and no blood was shed in the process. If everyone tries to be peaceful, then there can be no violence. If only the amount and efforts spent by various nations for military and armaments of all types of destructive nature, are spent for the welfare of the people, then there will not be any poverty and hunger. We should all strive to achieve this. So let us resolve that every one is peaceful and spread only love and helping hand."



Sean McCollum Posted 9/21/01
Seattle, Washington, USA

"That children are given the opportunity to stop and be attentive to their spirits and those of others is such a wonderful thing for our future world. It is this kind of thinking that will change the fabric of human life beneficially! Give my thanks to Marisa Martinez and her school." [Read Marisa Martinez's letter]



Mark Foote Posted 9/21/01
Seattle, Washington, USA

"My son and I sat in the car [that Tuesday] listening to [National Public Radio's] Morning Edition. It took a while to get the immediate facts: Hijacked Planes; World Trade Towers hit; Pentagon Hit; Tower Two Collapsed; Tower One Collapsed; All Planes Grounded. My son was quiet. Then he started with very practical questions: Who were the hijackers? Did they die too? How can you catch them if they're dead? Why don't we just build all our tall buildings underground? Then he thought for a while: 'You know, Daddy, how I want to be an inventor? Well, I need to get to work on inventing a time machine. If we can't arrest those guys since they're dead, I can make a time machine. We can use it to go back and keep those bad guys from getting on the airplanes. Then everyone will be alright.'"



Alvaro Gutierrez Posted 9/21/01
Colombia

"I know many cities around the world but no city like New York City. Watching TV from here, in Latin America, I cried, I felt so sad, I felt so empty and so helpless. I can't help from here, just pray and send my condolences to everybody there. I have been in those buildings. It seems impossible they are not there anymore. To the firefighters, the NYPD staff, to the victims in NYC, to the citizens of the city of New York, a applause, a condolence message and a thank you for showing the world what the human spirit can do to save others. NYC is filled with hundreds of different cultures, but one thing unites them: life."



Dona Montuori Posted 9/21/01
Dracut, Massachusetts, USA

"In the morning after we have saluted the flag, we sing the National Anthem with the whole school and have a moment of silence. I continue with my third graders by singing 'America' and then I ask the children if they have any reason for a moment of silence. They always respond. Sometimes it is for a sick cat, other times it is for a grandfather who is hospitalized and now it is for the fallen and the catastrophic event that occurred on September 11. We also were fortunate to have the pilot who flew the first plane that went into the tower, live in the community in which I teach. We have remembered Captain Oganowski every day. We have a bulletin board that is all hands in a circle I says a circle of friends and we have included pictures of firemen and policemen on the board with flowers and flags."



Sandy Moore Posted 9/21/01
Centerville, South Dakota,USA

"If you have a loved one in a nursing home, please touch base with them. The tragic events of these past days remind them of their war years and bring back memories and long forgotten fears."



Simone Posted 9/21/01
Santiago, Chile

"I, as most of the civilized world, have been deeply hurt by the events of last week. My family and myself have been sending love continously. I thought you may well want to tell others how to do this simple but very effective act. In the bottom of your heart, without moving your lips, mentally say 'I LOVE YOU' to whoever's name you want to send this energy message of love. Of course it is good to send it to your loved ones, your family, your parents and your friends; but you can also send love to Mr. Bush, to Mr. Powell and to many other leaders who certainly need our support in these days of stress and difficult decisions. If we manage to have a large number of people sending love simultaneously, we can make miracles happen."



Lydia Posted 9/21/01
Ontario, Canada

"In Toronto, many people, including myself are donating tons of supplies for all the volunteers working very hard. I have even thrown in a ton of dog chow! Tons of Torontonians are taking part in helping out. Many of us are sharing the deep emotions and will empathize with everyone. Sending lots of love, support and smiles!"



Judie Lundborg Posted 9/21/01
Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii, USA

"I personally believe that there is a reason for everything - even though it's sometimes hard to find. Perhaps all the people who have lost their lives, chose to sacrifice their lives to give the world a chance for peace. Now it's up to us to choose peace and validate their sacrifice."



Kathy Hobbs-Parent Posted 9/18/01
Crozet, Virginia, USA

"We should give blood often, not just when we feel helpless. We should reach out to each other daily, not just after having witnessed incredible loss. We should vote, not just when we are feeling patriotic. We should let our families and friends know we love them, not just when we come home numb from the shock of reality. We should be thankful for every sunrise and sunset, not just the one after the day of destruction. We should realize there are people who live with this destruction on a regular basis, not just when their country has been caught in complacency."



Frank Oldrich Posted 9/18/01
Santander, Spain

"Just a silent prayer for those whose lives were savagely cut down, a silent prayer for all those affected and their families to be able to overcome this enormous tragedy."



Jim Lacey Posted 9/18/01
Lowell, Massachusetts, USA

"What is important now are the lessons we teach our children. Yes, we are quite angry and demand retribution from our enemies, but let us not teach our children revenge; rather, let us impart to our precious future the lesson of justice."



Steve Johgart Posted 9/18/01
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

"There is certainly a great sadness draped in the ashes of fallen lives today. Yes, there will probably be reprisal strikes and reprisals of reprisals, and it is a tragedy. I'm afraid the best we can do is nurture the seeds of goodness and love and hope; it may be that we must watch fairly helplessly as far as stopping the madness, but the goodness does not die, and if we come together to nurture one another and the spirit which flows on, that is our proper role. This is not to say we shouldn't speak out against injustice and evils we see...certainly we should and must...but if it seems to be of little effect against the brutal storm which threatens to blow, as is, alas, quite likely, be aware that our little garden of love may be just what is needed for regrowth of beauty after the storm. We should not be surrendering to despair, or fear, or worst of all, to our own hatreds and vengeances (and we all have them, beware and be aware)."



Daniel Moreland, captain of the Picton Castle Posted 9/18/01
From port in Darwin, Australia

"It can be only said that the Canadian, American, Mexican, German, Swiss, Danish, South African, and Vanuatu crew of our ship are united in shock and sadness, as are other well-meaning people around the world, to hear of the attack on America and peace."



Diane Graff Posted 9/18/01
Washington, DC, USA

"Thank you so much for the work you are doing. You are absolutely correct that it is important to remember the good in this world. I wanted to share with you a quote from Ghandi that I have been hanging onto with all my being this week: 'When I despair, I remember that all through history, the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it...always.'"



Lisa Anderson Posted 9/18/01
Sammamish, Washington, USA

"During this time of heartbreak and sadness, it's encouraging to know specific individuals who are poised to lend a helping hand. We have several friends waiting at Washington state's McChord Air Force Base as part of the Urban Search and Rescue Team. Two are firefighters that work with my husband downtown Seattle. We are proud of these guys and for their eager willingness and specialized skills that will no doubt make them an asset as they head back east to join the rescue efforts there."



Marie Dina Posted 9/18/01
New York, New York, USA

"Ordinary men and women are out there in the rubble cleaning up. I just learned that my son Eirk and his wife Yvette go from Staten Island everyday to help clear the rubble. Erik is on the bucket brigade and Yvette hands out food and water. My son works for the MTA (subway system) and has proper ID so he is let through along with the National Guard, iron workers, and medical personnel. They have been there 18 hours a day since the first day. Yesterday, Home Depot came with a truck full of gloves and other supplies. Dunkin Donuts, Pizza Hut, and many other companies are supplying food. The doctors and nurses with no one yet to care for are giving out bottled water. The Salvation Army and Red Cross have set up stations to aid the crews cleaning up. I wanted to share this small piece of information to give thanks to all the insung heroes in the tragedy."



Thaddeus Baladad Posted 9/18/01

"Your Web site is even more important now as a tool to give HOPE around the world. It also welcomes the collective good of our world for all to read and heals our wounds."



Sherrie H. Posted 9/18/01

"Words cannot express the hurt that we are all feeling. I watched our heroes who are still helping in the disaster in New York. My heart aches! As I'm writting this, I have tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat."



Megan Houseworth Posted 9/18/01
Martinsville, Indiana, USA

"As the past few horrible days have unfolded, I have found myself stuck to the television, the radio or where ever I can find the news. I am so touched at how people have been reacting to this event. However, it seems sad that it takes a horrible event like this to make our nation draw together and help those who desperately need it. I hope that this event will make this nation stronger. Hopefully, things will change drastically pertaining to national security and people will start being kinder and more sincere to all of the great people that make this nation so great."



Anonymous Posted 9/18/01

Three nights ago, three Mosques were attacked within a forty mile radius of where I live. This vigilante action is totally unacceptable. Crimes committed against any religious houses are beyond the scope of any mortal laws and should not be tolerated. Emotionally, we are in chaos. But if we give in to that chaos and react, we are no better than the terrorists. Chaos without order is dangerous as is order without some element of chaos. Let the authorities do what they need to do. We as individuals do not need to strike out at anyone based on their race or religion.



Ryan Naylor Posted 9/18/01
Albany, New York, USA

"Love and forgiveness are ways to live."



Susan Millan Posted 9/18/01
Everett, Washington, USA

"With all the destruction so close by, I have been thinking, hoping for peace, peace be with us, peace dawn over the world like the rising sun--day after day, peace be in our first waking moment, peace be in our actions and words through the day, peace be the last thought as we fall asleep."



Julie Laing Posted 9/18/01
Jamaica

"I extend my sympathy to all the people of America. I personally know that whatever affects the United States of America will affect Jamaica because without the US we here cannot survive. I send my condolences to the families and friends of such a volatile attack of terrorism."



Holly Posted 9/18/01
Penticton, British Columbia, Canada

"As my husband and I sat watching the news together that evening, we cried for all those that suffer and those still suffering."



Kate Posted 9/18/01
Roseburg, Oregon, USA

"America has now become a small town. This is the most important thing to hang onto in the hours, days and months ahead. Never get so insulated or isolated that we forget we are part of the human family."



Patricia Smith Posted 9/18/01
Ellsworth, Maine, USA

"I have watched the reports of this terrorism every day,late into the night. My heart is so sad. Let's all not forget whp we are and how hard a fight it has been to become Americans."



Samantha Posted 9/18/01

"No one I know died, but I still feel like I'm in mourning."



Anonymous Posted 9/18/01

"I have realized even though all these people died, we are all still Americian citizens. We still have our borders and we will bounce back. I have also abserved the anger of so many people. This anger is so dangerous to us all. We can solve this problem peacefully. We all must realize we are all one family and that includes all human beings. We can we resolve this effectively and thoughly with out starting a war. PLEASE STOP TAKE A MOMENT AND BREATH. Love must start with each of us before it can spead out to others. We must talk to to everyone we meet. We must tell them to get out of their ego and back into their hearts."



Elisabeth Keating Posted 9/18/01
Seattle, Washington, USA

"The Friday after the attack, Microsoft, my employer had sponsored a Day of Caring, for employees to volunteer in neighborhood projects. My team and I spent a day weeding and fixing up a Civil War Cemetery (we'd selecting this project several weeks ago little knowing how perfect a way to remember those who died it would be.) It was a beautiful place, high on a hill with a view of mountains and water. And somehow, it was therapeutic to weed under the American flag at half mast, and to do something to remember and care for those who died to make the world a better, safer place. I just learned that one of my college roommates works for Cantor Fitzgerald, which is the worst hit of any of the companies in the World Trade Center. They were on the 101st floor of Tower 1 (the first tower hit), and 700 people are missing and presumed dead -- that’s over 3 / 4 th of their employees. Cantor Fitzgerald is starting a relief fund for the families of those killed. Please contribute if you can."

The Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund
101 Park Avenue, 45th Floor
New York, NY 10178



Jonie Dalvine Posted 9/18/01

"I read on another site where someone said, 'I did not have anyone lost in the WTC or the Pentagon but I feel like I've been hit in the gut and can't get up yet. I feel that way too. I am so saddened by all the loss of life and anguish that their families and friends are going through as they wait...and wait...and wait to hear if anything at all what has happened to their loved ones. I am trying as best I can to go back to my normal way of life, but there is an ominous forboding in the shadows of my mind...questions we all have I'm sure...is it over? Will it happen again? Will it hit our home town? Will our loved ones be next? It is very difficult to deal with this. I pray for unity of our nation, and I pray that the hate crimes against Muslim Americans will stop."



Luc Govers Posted 9/18/01
Brussels, Belgium

"Thank you for those words of wisdom. I fell sick and just threw up everything I ate before when I saw one of the towers collapse on people who gave signs to the world by waving whatever they had. I'll always believe people are good. Rage and hate are the main killers of humanity. I hope we'll live through this crazy crisis."



Pious Hayford Posted 9/18/01
Ghana

"Thank you for the letter you sent concerning the recent attacks. The shock is enormous. The land of opportunity, the land of the many, the land of plenty, the land of opportunity and democracy, has experienced the worst attack on humanity and has resulted in the lost of thousands of lives. My heart goes out to all those who have lost their loved ones."



Marcelyn L. Thompson Posted 9/18/01

"I am an American who has spent the past few years living in China. It is a fascinating country, simultaneously enchanting and rife with poverty, a simmering nationalistic anger, and classic examples of man's inhumanity to man. It can be very hard on the human spirit to live there for long periods of time. My fiance signed me up for the Goodletter this spring to help lift my spirits while there.

I returned home early this summer, so much more grateful for my home and its freedoms and possibilities than ever before. When I watched all of that being violated Tuesday morning, I felt shattered and numb. I am starting to get my senses back and notice part of them giving way to fear. I refuse to let that feeling overwhelm me.

Reading that you recognize that we have the hope and the passion to help each other and our country means so much to me. I would hate for anyone to see hope as a naive sentiment, and I am glad that you are using the Goodletter to encourage us to believe in it and each other."



Marie Williams Posted 9/18/01

"I will never forget the horrible images of last Tuesday, and I will never take my life or time for granted ever again. Hopefully, no one will ever take our country for granted again. I believe we will weep for the simplicity of all that we have taken for granted in the days and years ahead."



M. Saify Posted 9/18/01

"Getting rid of all the hatred that has grown these past years should be our prime objective, not creating more of it."



Janet Smith Posted 9/18/01
South Africa

"Words alone cannot communicate how sad we are feeling for you as a nation and how we feel for all those who lost their lives and for their grieving families."



Debra L. Hart Posted 9/18/01
West Virginia, USA

"Today, my next-door neighbor came over and hugged me as I put my flag out. A woman I don't know asked me if I knew where she could get more ribbon for red, white and blue lapel ribbons. She was making and giving them away. My other neighbor and I held hands and cried at the memorial service in the town square (we are a very small town). I know these people very little, if at all, yet I know each one very intimately. Their hearts are like mine. We are the same, we are Americans."



Mohamed-Ali Wattar Posted 9/18/01
Beirut, Lebanon

"I'm a 23 year old guy who shared his sadness with all the American people during this week. I'm here to give my sympathy, support and goodwill."



Mike Burgie Posted 9/18/01
Joliet, Illinois, USA

"This has been a terrible tragedy. But it has brought out in people what perhaps they have been hiding: love for their fellow man. There is so much love and closeness right now, it is a shame that a tragedy had to bring it out. There have been so many examples of love and concern."



Jane Williams Posted 9/18/01
Hueytown, Alabama, USA

"Our country is just like the human body. When the body is invaded by an outside gash, the area hurts very badly, but the whole body feels the hurt and pain. That is how our country is right now. We know the hurt is much more in New York and Washington DC, but the whole country is feeling the pain. As we all pull together just as the body does, we can start to heal. For all of the victims, our hearts go out to you and to the remembrance you will always have in our hearts. To the families, you have our prayers and support in whatever we can do. To our nation, we plead our allegiance and our loyalty to stop this outside harm to our nation and start to heal. As the body does, we too shall start to heal and will someday be healed back to the whole. But there will always be a scar with which we remember the trama we all have shared."



Seraphim Posted 9/18/01
Sharon, Pennsylvania, USA

"The events that took place last Tuesday first left me in disbelief, then in shock, then rage, and now I'm just plain sullen. But even though this horrid terrorist act happened, a lot of good things came out of it. I have a completely different view on life. I appreciate waking up, going to school, having to go to work, and all those things that I usually HATE doing. And the things I appreciated before are all the more beautiful now. There's something about a tragedy that brings out the best in everything. I suddenly want to spend time with my family. I want to run through fields, go skinnydipping, eat too much chocolate cake, and watch too much television."



Jennifer Posted 9/18/01
Wyandotte, Michigan, USA

"If I could, I would take everyone in my arms and hold them until they could cry no more."