The Day the World Stopped
For Earth day, I wanted to share with you something my brother wrote after 9/11. He was living in Europe at the time, between France and England. My sister was getting married at the end of September, so it was very stressful that my brother and his wife would have to fly home from Europe.
This is the e-mail we all received from him:
Dear friends and family,
I know that we've all been affected by this past week's tragic events in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington. While most of you are physically closer to these events than I am right now, I think that it's very insightful if I share with you what I witnessed in Europe yesterday.
On the 14th of September 2001, the free world stood as one.
At exactly 11AM GMT (12PM CET) on Friday the 14th of September, the people of the European Union (15 countries with a population similar to that of the entire United States of America) observed a perfectly synchronized 3 minutes of silence. A similar response was reported in 28 additional countries.
Being a part of this event was not only overwhelming, moving, and touching, but also shockingly powerful. Bustling streets became as frozen as a photo as commuters, bicyclists, and even vehicles stopped - completely - for 180 seconds. Office workers turned off desk phones, mobile phones, and stopped the constant hammering away at their keyboards to sit, stand, or kneel in utter silence. Stock markets (where fortunes can be made and lost in seconds) stopped completely. No, not the market itself, but rather all of its traders, market makers and transaction processing. Utter silence.
European Heads of State stood powerfully silent and still as they were blanketed by the US Ambassadors to their countries. The 3 minutes of silence was observed at Embassies, Churches, Government offices, Cathedrals, Synagogues, and tourist attractions alike. Many television channels observed the 3 minutes by stopping all transmissions, except for a blank screen. Radio stations similarly were eerily silent.
My immediate reaction after taking part in this powerful and moving action was a sense of amazement and a powerful resolve of the world to mourn the dead and vow to rid the world of these type of devastating acts.
Additionally, the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace in London was altered for the first time in over 200 years, as the Queen ordered that the US National Anthem was to be played prior to the standard ceremony. Meanwhile, throughout the European Union flags are at half mast. Not just US flags, but ALL flags.
Yes, yesterday I watched the world stop.
James R. Small
I was so proud of what my brother wrote and I was truly moved just reading his words. When I thought about Earth day and what it meant to me, this letter came to my mind. To me, it represents how powerful it can be if we all come together for a common cause, what we can do if we really want to and how we can all be one when the need arises. I hope that today, and every day forward, we will all work together to take care of the Earth, each other and all the creatures. I hope that we can rid the world of all the negative people and actions that affect so many. I hope we can change the attitudes of all the people on this planet to a positive, loving attitude.
With this, I send my love and positive energy to all of you. May you be happy, loved and blessed in everything you do.
This is the e-mail we all received from him:
Dear friends and family,
I know that we've all been affected by this past week's tragic events in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington. While most of you are physically closer to these events than I am right now, I think that it's very insightful if I share with you what I witnessed in Europe yesterday.
On the 14th of September 2001, the free world stood as one.
At exactly 11AM GMT (12PM CET) on Friday the 14th of September, the people of the European Union (15 countries with a population similar to that of the entire United States of America) observed a perfectly synchronized 3 minutes of silence. A similar response was reported in 28 additional countries.
Being a part of this event was not only overwhelming, moving, and touching, but also shockingly powerful. Bustling streets became as frozen as a photo as commuters, bicyclists, and even vehicles stopped - completely - for 180 seconds. Office workers turned off desk phones, mobile phones, and stopped the constant hammering away at their keyboards to sit, stand, or kneel in utter silence. Stock markets (where fortunes can be made and lost in seconds) stopped completely. No, not the market itself, but rather all of its traders, market makers and transaction processing. Utter silence.
European Heads of State stood powerfully silent and still as they were blanketed by the US Ambassadors to their countries. The 3 minutes of silence was observed at Embassies, Churches, Government offices, Cathedrals, Synagogues, and tourist attractions alike. Many television channels observed the 3 minutes by stopping all transmissions, except for a blank screen. Radio stations similarly were eerily silent.
My immediate reaction after taking part in this powerful and moving action was a sense of amazement and a powerful resolve of the world to mourn the dead and vow to rid the world of these type of devastating acts.
Additionally, the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace in London was altered for the first time in over 200 years, as the Queen ordered that the US National Anthem was to be played prior to the standard ceremony. Meanwhile, throughout the European Union flags are at half mast. Not just US flags, but ALL flags.
Yes, yesterday I watched the world stop.
James R. Small
I was so proud of what my brother wrote and I was truly moved just reading his words. When I thought about Earth day and what it meant to me, this letter came to my mind. To me, it represents how powerful it can be if we all come together for a common cause, what we can do if we really want to and how we can all be one when the need arises. I hope that today, and every day forward, we will all work together to take care of the Earth, each other and all the creatures. I hope that we can rid the world of all the negative people and actions that affect so many. I hope we can change the attitudes of all the people on this planet to a positive, loving attitude.
With this, I send my love and positive energy to all of you. May you be happy, loved and blessed in everything you do.
Very powerful.
It amazes me that how in this world we can live a paradoxical existence - divided yet connected at the same time.
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AZ Mom of Many Hats,
Thank you so much for your feedback. I agree, wish we could all be more connected. Life is short and we should all try to make the most of it, help each other and enjoy this planet while we are here.
Teresa
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I really enjoyed this piece. On a day like today, it seems even more fitting to remember that as an important leader in the world, the United States' respect and love should be earned by modeling how to have a better place to live for our children. Thank you for sharing.
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Audra, thanks for your comment. I hope we can all work together to make this world a better place for all of us, and make sure it is still around for our children. If every person would do just one small thing, it would have a huge impact. We can all make a difference.
Teresa
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Beautiful post and blessings in honor of that day and Earth day.
If we all work consciously together, this dream will be realized.
What a challenge we face, and with it, what an opportunity for growth!
Glad to be sharing the journey with you Teresa. =) @AndreaTannouri the @HolisticMom
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Andrea, I appreciate your feedback. The challenges are many, but our strength, knowledge and resources are abundant, so I know we can all grow and survive and realize our dreams.
I am glad to be on the journey with you too and I look forward to working together!
Teresa
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This was a very powerful letter and my friend did forward it to the Petagon and it was sent to everyone in Wash DC.and published in the Petagon paper. Very proud of Jim.
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Quite inspiring,
When is earth day?
Keep up the good work
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