9/11 - A Tribute

On Sept. 11th, in the South Tower of the WTC, I lost an angel, my cousin, Linda June Sheehan. She worked for a passionate and determined company, who triumphs through it all, Sandler O'Neill. My family and I tried to do whatever we could to put Linda's info out there, and contact all that we needed to, but I felt overwhelmed after awhile. Then, two angels entered my life through WiredPatrol.org. Their names are Parry Aftab & Kermi. I felt like I had to keep Linda's strong spirit alive, by staying strong & trying to do all I could. But, because these were such trying times, it became too much to do alone. Then, from logging on w/my feelings, thoughts, & info, WiredPatrol appeared to me when I needed help. When I needed flyers put up, they took my cousin's info, & copied piles and piles for me to put up, & helped put many up themselves. If I needed more , it was never an inconvenience.

Parry Aftab contacted me & then led me to "Kermi" from Australia. A stranger from another country felt my pain as if it were her own. Parry & "Kermi" e-mailed me constantly & called to check on me too. When I received the news that her body was recovered, I called Parry and mainly just remember crying, and I didn't need to say much and she didn't have to say much, but to know that she was on the other line with love, was felt so strongly and that's what I needed, and she knew this. If I needed to vent about any emotion or feeling I was feeling, there was "Kermi" to say the right thing through many, many e-mails. Emotions were flowing over and affecting other aspects of my life, and "Kermi" never minded to hear about it. Knowing that encouragement, guidance, and love were only a click away was so what my family and I needed. They even brought to me websites to chat w/others who were in other states far away from NY, but knew that love and unity knew no distance. They went far beyond anything I ever expected.

When I was at my wits end, there was "Kermi" to help me gain control, or if I wasn't able to, she took over. She e-mailed those that I wasn't able to, found people I couldn't & any info I needed, she forwarded to me. Even when I stressed out when e-mails were deleted, who was there for me: "Kermi" & Parry!!! Every e-mail regarding Linda, meant so much to me and they collected every one. They were definitely my crisis management team, and I so needed them. They brought me focus through a fog that I was in; love in my heart that literally ached from my deep loss; a vision that hatred will not overcome us & that peace can be found again, through the kindness of strangers. They stood united w/me against the violence and destruction of terrorism, and showed so many that good can & will triumph over evil. Those lost on 9/11 lived life fully, and we must remember this and live life again for them to keep their spirits alive. We carry their stories, love, and lives in us, therefore we must allow ourselves to see the good again in people, to help us to carry this along. This endurance, to continue an angel's life message, came to me from two angels on earth.

To have "Kermi" in Australia was also a huge plus too, because I knew I could try and sleep because due to the time difference, she said she would do anything she could and that gave me peace of mind. Parry and "Kermi" checked so many websites, called anyone needed, & checked on me continually. Encouraging words, prayers & love, smiles & tears, this is what we constantly went through. When I doubted things, or felt so much pain, "Kermi" was always in my inbox w/everything my family and I needed. And with everything they did for me, they told me that I was also helping them & that felt good. Helping others heal, by sharing my thoughts & feelings helped me heal in the process. This was helpful during those trying times.

Nothing can ever take away the pain completely because our country has never seen such destruction like this before. But, to have WiredPatrol.org appear & feel my pain & help to lift whatever they could off my shoulders, was a great start to my healing process. Words don't seem to express the thankfulness I feel in my heart for this help. We lost too many angels on Sept. 11th, but we must keep our hearts open to those still around us, especially two named "Kermi" & Parry of WiredPatrol.

Sunshine

Linda's Memorial Page can be viewed by clicking here

Family Match is a program that was started September 12, 2001. A team of WiredPatrol volunteers started searching the Internet for any information that would be of help for the families that were involved the tragedy of September 11, 2001. Read more about it here