September 11, 2002

one year ago

On the morning of September 11, 2001 (5:45 AM MDT) I was sitting on my meditation cushion thinking about the interconnectedness of people. I remember the conversation I was having with myself that morning because I felt quite good when the day began.

At work I was sitting next to an older gentleman who loves old radio shows and they call him ‘Taiwan Bill’ because of his time spent there teaching English as a second language. Most think Bill is a little “off” and he has this appearance. Sort of transient-like and resembling Allen Ginsberg in both looks and mannerisms. I remember being intrigued by him on my first day because of all of that. I thought, “this looks like a man who needs somebody to be his friend and I’d really like to get to know him better.” Turns out he’s originally from Boston and was overseas while in the Air Force. He has a mind like a razor.

We were both prompt at getting to our desks and situated that morning. In fact, Bill arrives an hour early every day. He really enjoys his job and after struggling at first he has become a very valuable employee. Bill began rattling off details about a plane that had crashed in the Empire State building. He knew the exact date it happened, who was flying the plane and the circumstances surrounding the whole situation. Fifteen minutes later CNN finally made mention of the fact.

Just recently or maybe it was even later that day when we finally got a chance to talk, we talked about religion. Bill stated that he was an Episcopalian Buddhist. I was raised in the Episcopal church. I very much considered myself a Buddhist.

The room we were in was usually very noisy. Around 100-200 people talk on the phone all day long. We are separated by cubicles but that can only stop so much. On that day it was quiet. Even those on the phone talked with a softness in there voice. Very subdued. It was strikingly clear how connected everyone in the entire world is. The proverbial butterfly in China really flapped its wings that day.

posted @ 9:32 AM

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