Emilee's Tribute to 9-11-01Having just had major surgery a few days prior, I was at home recovering. Emilee claimed to her father early that morning that she was not feeling well, so he let her stay home with me. Now that girl was not sick, but I did not have the strength or desire to fight with her, so I granted her wish to stay home with her mommy. I had the idea of a nice lazy Monday, which would allow me to just rest, and having Emilee home with me I would not have to get up as much. It was perfect.
I can only describe the chain of events as nothing short of ‘earth shattering’. Everything us Americans had grown accustom too was destroyed in less than an hour.
The day, September 11, 2001.
My daughter sat transfixed to the TV, just as I had. I searched for the words to try to explain to my daughter what was happening, but simply could not find anything more than “Oh my dear god!”.
It was not until that next summer when Emilee stayed with my mother for a few weeks, did I realize just how much that day moved my daughter.
My mom has stepping stones in her garden and she asked Emilee to repaint them. Gave her free reign over the theme, it was purely Emilee’s project. Much to our surprise, Emilee made a tribute to America, to the innocent victims and family.
My mother called the local paper and had they came to do a piece on Emilee. There was no way she was going to let this amazing gesture and talent go to waste. The paper ran the article on September 11, 2002.
5 months later, Emilee opened a letter addressed from The White House. The President of the United States sent Emilee and letter expressing his gratitude for her gesture as well.
I could not have been any prouder of my child than at that moment. It was than that I realized just how unselfish and loving my daughter truly was. She could have done anything to those stepping stones, but yet she chose to show her misunderstanding and sympathy for people who lost their lives.
| The News Paper Article | Letter from President |