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Blooms of Remembrance

Blooms of Remembrance published on 22 Comments on Blooms of Remembrance

I think by now most of you know that in my “day” job, I am a pilot at United Airlines.  Every year I feel compelled to write a post commemorating those lost on that horrific day 13 years ago.  (You can read them here:  9th Anniversary10th Anniversary,  11th Anniversary and 12th Anniversary)  Each year I feel the sadness creeping in and find myself a bit out of sorts.  While I know that we have distance on the event and that certainly dampens the emotions a bit, I can’t help but reflect back.  I know many people throughout the world feel the same and that is a good thing.  Those lost were husbands, wives, daughters, sons.  Meaningful lives cut too short.  They should be remembered and honored.

As usual, I turn to stamping to ease my heart and give my emotions a place to go.  This week was no different.  I found myself a little chaotic in the stamp room and having a hard time focusing.  Eventually I just gave in to it and created a card especially inspired by 9-11.

While I could not be there, I was proud that my pilot brethren could form an “honor guard” of sorts outside the ceremony to award three Congressional Gold Medals given yesterday in honor of the fallen victims.  Each medal was specially designed to commemorate the crash sites.  Each will be housed in the appropriate memorial at the sites.  The fact that pilots stood in honor of the fallen is fitting and makes me proud.  We do not forget.  Every time we go to work, we realize the responsibility given to us to protect the lives and well-being of our passengers.  We take it very seriously every single day.  We love the smiling children boarding planes on the way to their great adventures.  We love taking people to visit their loved ones.  We even love the harried business people who barely look up from their devices to acknowledge us.  Because we love to fly!  And we know in our hearts the trust you put in us.  We get to bring people together and what an amazing opportunity that is.  That togetherness flies in the face of the evil that showed itself 13 years ago.  The evil will not win over love, joy, family!  It will not win over the smiles and hugs I see every time our planes arrive.  And we are grateful for the privilege of being a part of that!

Remembrance Blooms

So here is my card for today.  The colors fit my mood so I just went with them.  The lovely Kraft Card Stock was stamped with Early Espresso Ink and then embossed with Clear Stampin’ Emboss Powder.  I colored the flowers with my Blendabilities (Night of Navy and Skin Tone Assortment).  That elegant striped paper is from the Under the Tree Specialty DSP.  The ribbon…one of my new favorites…Early Espresso Seam Binding.  It is gorgeous.  And I colored some Basic Pearls with my darkest Skin Tone Blendabilities Marker.

I appreciate you stopping in today and I appreciate all of my readers so much.  Thank you for letting me share this part of my heart.  I wish you a day of love and joy and togetherness!

In memory of:

United 93:  Jason Dahl, LeRoy Homer, Lorraine Bay, Sandra Bradshaw, Wanda Green, CeeCee Lyles, Deorah Welsh

United 175:  Victor Saracini, Michael Horrocks, Robert Fangman, Amy Jarret, Amy King, Kathryn Laborie, Alfred Marchand, Michael Tarrou, Alicia Titus

American 11:  John Ogonowski, Thomas McGuinness, Barbara Arestegui, Jeffrey Collman, Sara Low, Karen Martin, Kathleen Nicosia, Betty Ong, Jean D. Roger, Dianne Snyder, Amy Sweeney

American 77:  Charles Burlingame III, David Charlebois, Michele Heidenberger, Jennifer Lewis, Kenneth Lewis, Renee May

 

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22 Comments

Your beautiful tribute brought tears to my eyes, Jen. I’m sitting on a plane, ready to depart Tampa on a business trip. Although many people are “worried” about flying today, I’m not. First & foremost I know The Lord & trust in His plan. Secondly, because of knowing you, I UNDERSTAND you truly want us to depart & arrive safely. Thank you for the smiles, hugs & business your piloting takes us to! Big hugs, my friend! ❤️

Love your beautiful card, AND the colors you chose.
I totally agree with your
comments on the Sept 11 incident.
I concur with you, and am flying our
American Flag with pride today.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I made a notebook with pictures from the
Sept 11 incident (horrible as they are) so that our granddaughters
would be able to see what this day was all about. I felt sure that
what is happening today, would come about. (seemingly forgotten)
It so sad how quickly our country tends to forget these kinds of things.
There was no mention of the day in our local newspaper. 🙁
Being a pilot, I can only imagine the effect that kind of memory must
have on you and your life. It must be even more real and horrific in
your memory.
Thank you for sharing your story and your talent.

Your post and card are both beautiful, Jennifer. Such a wonderful tribute to these brave crew members. As an airline pilot you have a huge responsibility and it’s obvious you take it very seriously. And you stamp too! I have two downline who are pilots – one retired USFS lead plane, the other private. Something about that combination really works. Stampin’ hugs to you.

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