Today is September 11. Like most Americans, I can remember where I was and what I was doing when the planes hit the Towers. However, this year, it’s a Day that got lost in human tragedies. Between Irma, Harvey, the burning wildfires in the western part of the United States, my mind has been on the tragedies befalling Americans from these natural disasters – not on the fact that the date of those horrific events 16 years ago is upon us.
As we reflect on September 11, 2001, we can learn something from that disaster to help with our current disasters: never give up hope. In the midst of the suffering following September 11, we saw the best of human beings – people reaching out to one another in kindness and love. We found hope in the midst of the circumstances: rescuers worked tirelessly hoping to find survivors, and then hoping to find remains to bring families closure; hope in the true goodness of people; hope that evil would be defeated; hope in a brighter and safer future, and hope of overcoming the terrible blow delivered on that fateful day.
Following these natural disasters, we’ll see the best of humanity again. As is was 16 years ago, we again are seeing people reaching out in kindness and love to help those who are hurting and in need. With each volunteer who arrives to help clean up, provide meals, provide water, or provide a shoulder to cry on – hope is delivered. Hope that we’re not alone and that we are in this together; hope that people do care; hope that life can be restored; hope that life can go on and hope the future will be brighter. The work is hard, but as long as we have hope, we will survive and overcome.
Hope is essential for whatever life throws our way. As an attorney, I often meet people during these life crises. Whether it be divorce, custody battle, the death of a loved one, harassing debt collectors, criminal charge, or sudden injury – these life crises can cause one to lose hope. As an attorney, my job is to help my client through the legal process, but as the “counselor at law”, I’m also responsible for making sure my client never gives up hope. Regardless of how bleak the outlook, we must maintain hope, and we must work toward a positive change through the circumstance – to be a better person on the other side of this crisis.
If we hold onto hope, we can have a positive change through whatever life circumstance we go through. Whatever life has thrown at you this September 11, Never Give Up Hope.
