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the first email

In 2001, I made my first trip to New York City - an exciting adventure.

I had been on holiday for 5 weeks - visiting friends across Canada with an open-ended return date, following my heart,  and taking advantage of my freedom from the corporate schedule. NYC was my last stop and I wasn't sure how long I would stay because I wasn't sure if I would like it. I loved it.

It was my intuition that let me to catch my Monday morning 7:30am flight out of JFK instead of staying on and trying to change my flight so I could complete my photographic portfolio with a shot from the top of The World Trade Centre on Tuesday morning. As my flight took off out of Vancouver, I remember thinking how amazing it is to live in a time when we can fly everywhere. For the first time, I also connected with that feat of human innovation which that is aeronautical engineering -- that this huge piece of machinery could actually lift off the ground. As the Rocky Mountains fell away, I had a distinct feeling that my Hong Kong life would change when I returned home this time. By the time the plane landed, both towers had been hit and were in flames. I got home, turned on the TV and watched the entire scene roll out in a 1-minute newsreel that looked like a blockbuster movie.

When I woke up the next, I realized that most of the people I had seen over the summer only knew that I was headed for New York and that I need to write a note to let them know I was okay. As I sat down at my computer, the following message unfolded ...

From: kinzie

Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2001 12:03 pm

To: undisclosed recipients

Subject: a day for prayer - not anger, blame or fear

9/11

I flew in from New York City last night.
I have never felt so lucky to be home.

Join me in prayers for patience and understanding
as we all recover from the shock of this tragedy.

Join me in celebration of the power of community as we witness the
spirit of the people coming together to help each other in recovery.

Join me in prayers for compassion and strength of the human heart.

Join me in prayers for understanding in our world community in the
coming days as our leaders try to make sense of why this has happened.

Join me in prayers to move forward in love not fear or anger.

Join me in prayers that the world will see this opportunity
to come together to support peace in a spirit of cooperation.

Join me in prayers of understanding for those who see terrorism as a solution.

Join me in celebration of the strength of humanity shown in
acts of heroism on the streets of America and around the world.

Join me in prayers of gratitude for all that I have and help me
to see ways that I can share what I have where it is needed.

Join people everywhere in our belief in tomorrow as we choose to see this
as a reminder of how fragile our life is on this planet we all call home.

Join me as I light a candle for friends and family everywhere
to help us to help each other heal from this tragic awakening.