Paying it Forward: Honoring a hero of 9/11

Paying it Forward in Honor of a Fallen Hero of 9/11

I don’t need to rehash the horrific event that happened on 9/11 because it still lives fresh in our minds and in our hearts as a day that forever changed the dynamics of our own safety on American soil.  So many lost their lives that day trying to run from burning buildings and others lost theirs running as fast as they could toward the burning buildings to rescue those inside.  Not a single story is told or any news footage shown that doesn’t bring up tears of sadness, waves of anger and moments of pride for those that rushed to help not stopping for a second to think of their own safety.  

Ever heard of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation? Maybe you know what that is all about, but in case you don’t, let me tell you a little about this amazing story.

Stephen Siller was a dedicated firefighter working out of Squad 1 in Brooklyn, NY.  “On September 11, 2001, Stephen had just gotten off the late shift at Squad 1, Park Slope, Brooklyn.  He was on his way to play golf with his brothers when his scanner told of the first plane hitting the Twin Towers.  When he heard the news, Stephen called his wife, Sally, and asked her to tell his brothers he would catch up with them later, and then returned to Squad 1 to get his gear.  Stephen drove his truck to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, but it was already closed.  So he strapped on 60 lbs. of gear to his back, rushed on foot through gridlocked traffic and ran from the Tunnel to the Towers where he gave up his life while saving others.” You can read more about his story here.

Amazing, right??

This year Sheep Dog has the privilege to be participating in the Tunnel to Towers 5k Walk/Run to help honor those that fell that day in service and to the military and first responders that continue making the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Sheep Dog is also making an effort to raise money that will allow disabled Sheep Dogs to participate in the event all while raising awareness for PTSD.

Recently my husband joined the Sheep Dog Impact Assistance group. This is a fantastic organization that exists solely for the purpose of serving others.  Here is a better description taken from their webpage.

“Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that serves the needs of the men and women serving in our military, law enforcement, fire & rescue and EMS services – a community of people we call “Sheep Dogs.” For members of SDIA, helping others is a way of life. All members of SDIA are current or former military and public safety personnel with an innate desire to serve and protect our nation beyond their call of duty. This continued service gives us a renewed sense of purpose and camaraderie. Whether it’s helping local service professionals in a time of need or traveling to assist a community in the wake of a natural disaster, we believe that service does not stop when a shift or tour of duty ends.”  You can also read more about them by clicking here.

Some of you may know our family, but please let me share a little of our background for those that don’t.  

My husband was in the U.S. Army for 23 years and served in three combat tours. He is now retired and working in the corporate world.  However, he continues to serve others through Sheep Dog Impact Assistance.  They have done so much for our family in helping my husband obtain a service dog for his PTSD.  I’ve written posts before about how he struggles with this and also the impact it has on our whole family. If you would like to read more about that you can click this archived post.

Our family is planning to be at the event to help represent Sheep Dog, but please understand the funds raised will NOT be for our family, but will send disabled Sheep Dogs that otherwise would not have an opportunity to participate in this event.  This is just another way Sheep Dog is giving back to those disabled Sheep Dogs that have served in one capacity or the other while honoring a fallen hero of 9/11.  

At the end of the day our military, law enforcement, fire & rescue and EMS service personnel are brother and sisters who make up a family.  They all serve a greater cause than merely providing an income.  They are first responders and defenders of our freedom.  When we give to honor one, we honor them all.

If you would like to donate to the fundraiser, please click here.         .              .  

An Open Letter To My Autistic Son: Always be you and you will always be EXTRAORDINARY!

I saw a post on a friend’s Facebook timeline the other day that reminded me of one of my favorite quotes:

If ever there was someone who embraces that way of thinking it would be Jacob. His autism has allowed him this wonderful treasure of seeing the world in a way that I couldn’t possibly understand and I both love and envy that gift.  He sees it in such a way as to unlock what lies in it without doing it for others to see.  However, he lives in such a way that the world can’t help but take notice.  

You will remember that I wrote, not too long ago, about an incident that happened while we were at church.  As I said then, it had been a long time since he had fully broken down in such a way.  That does happen on occasion, but for the most part what I observe is nothing less than remarkable.  If I could just give him a glimpse of how we see him maybe I can help him know just how special he really is...not just to us, but to the world.  

Dear Jacob,

You look around and sometimes wonder why you don’t like what the other kids like, you don’t eat what the other kids eat,  you don’t want to play as the other kids are playing.  You see things differently than they do and you want to understand why.  I will tell you why son...they are absolutely right, you are different. Not only are you different my love, you are EXTRAORDINARY!!!!

I watch you read and take on the characters in a book transforming yourself to who it is you want to become. You see the world in pictures and through your imagination in real time even though events took place so many years ago.  You can dance through the room living each word of a song as you move your body in whatever way feels good to you.  You can sit at the keyboard and play a song and it isn’t merely your fingers moving, but your whole body is playing in unison with the keys.  You can fight in a battle of war because you love history and you see it through your own eyes and transport yourself back in time and unlock the secret of taking yourself fully where you want to go.  It isn’t merely play, it is living in a way that only you can understand.  It’s as real to you as the very nose on your face and you take us with you when you go.  So, no son, you are not like anyone else, you are different.  You are EXTRAORDINARY!!  

Learning comes easy to you, but relaying information isn’t as forgiving when you speak.  Your body freezes up under pressure and you try so hard to be like everyone else.  Never conform to that!!  You are so much more than just trying to fit in.  The letter grades you receive could never measure the asset you are to this crazy world.  We need you this way, the world needs you this way.  We need your innocence, your uniqueness and your autism that make up a person that can see the world in such a way as to unlock the magic that lives inside of it.  You, son, are EXTRAORDINARY.

You will never be class president, you will never be captain of the football team and you may never speak in front of a crowd again.  Who cares?!?!  You dance in the rain, you spread your wings and are not afraid to be who you are and love who you can become.  The world needs more of you, more of your quick wit, more of your charm, more of your eyes in how you see things from a different perspective.

At five years old you looked inside a huge fishtank and said you wanted to be a fish and when I asked you why you told me it was so you can play hide and seek with all the people looking in.  Never stop playing hide and seek with the world, never stop spinning in circles to feel what it’s like, run down the sidewalk with your head thrown back and your eyes closed, jump on the trampoline and just let yourself free fall to the mat. Never believe that you are anything less than EXTRAORDINARY!!!!  You, my son... the world needs more of you!!

So you go take on the world and be fearless in who you are because you my love are EXTRAORDINARY!!!