Pivot Point

Standing outside the windows of the nursery the two women stood watching a newborn sleep. The child was so tiny--not quite five pounds. His determination to live was clear even with all the tubes and machines connected to his tiny body. Watching him struggle and finally fall into a comforting sleep the women silently held vigil as tears silently coursed down their faces. Without realizing it, they reached toward one another and stood there holding hands.

He had been born September 11th on the second anniversary of the destruction of the World Trade Center Towers. He was far from the danger and heart break of that day, but his birth on that anniversary touched them as they watched him fight and struggle to hold on to the live into which he was thrust prematurely.

"Where were you two years ago?" she asked her companion.

"At home--I had just dropped my son at school and had turned on the TV and saw the second plane fly into the tower. I called my mom and we watched together until both towers fell. I had to know my son was safe, so I went back to his school and read books with him for an hour or so until I could stand to let him out of my sight again."

"Where were you?"

"There. Well close. I was leaving for a conference and had just crossed the bridge leaving Manhattan when I saw the first tower get hit. My colleagues and I decided we needed to return to the hospital. We knew there would be mass casualties and they would need as many Chaplains as possible. We turned around and were the last vehicle allowed to cross the bridge back onto the island. We saw the second plane hit, the towers fall, and were engulfed in the dust and debris cloud by the time we got to the hospital. I spent the next two weeks in the makeshift morgue."

The women embraced and let their tears flow.

"I'm so sorry you had to witness it all, yet I'm so thankful you were there to care for the dead and their families."

"I never talk about it. The grief and pain is too deep."

"Perhaps it is time. Time to let it out, and let it go."

As they stood and watched the baby, now sleeping peacefully, they continued to talk in quiet tones of what that day meant to them--and how it changed them. It was a pivot point in time. The child, through no fault of his own was in a life altering struggle. His tenacity, his will, his response to those helping him would determine the course of his life.

Regardless of the circumstances that brought us to the point of September 11, 2001; our response is life altering. We choose how to respond. We choose to work together or allow the circumstances to tear us apart.

The two women continued to watch; they dried their tears; they drew comfort from one another; and they thanked God for life that continues. Together, they returned to their duties and chose to touch the lives of other with love, honor, dignity, gentleness, and compassion. Drawing in breath to breathe and continue on they quietly sang:

this is the air I breathe

this is the air I breathe

Your holy presence living in me

this is my daily bread

this is my daily bread

Your very word spoken to me

And I, I'm desperate for you

And I, I'm lost without you*

God, our comforter, protector, friend, help us to fill our live with your holiness. Help us to realize the pivotal points in our lives and to move towards you, beyond confusion and pain. Teach us to love as you love; to have compassion; and to share love. So be it. Amen.

*Breathe by Michael W. Smith