It was so great to come into work today and see the American flag proudly draped next to our company name. We all remember what we were doing and where we were when we heard the news of the tragedy of September 11, 2001. Our Home Office was located directly along the path of the west runway into O’Hare Airport and so is my home. We were all used to the constant flow of airplanes overhead so there was an eerie silence for several days following September 11.
Knowing that our lawn was visible from the air and also in a high-traffic area, we decided that we could take advantage of our location to carve out a message. Joe Slavicek, our warehouse manager and a Vietnam veteran, spray-painted a huge red, white and blue heart on our lawn with the words U.S.A. in the center. Then we gave all our employees a flag and each one planted a flag around the heart as we joined hands in prayer for the people who were lost, the families who were grieving and for God to give our country strength to recover from this tragedy. Cars and trucks passed by and honked their horns and smiled at our message.
Several days later the planes began to fly again. We will never know if passengers and staff in the airplanes flying overhead saw our message, but it didn’t matter. What mattered was the action we took, the prayer we shared and the moment that is engraved in all our hearts.
Two days later on my way into work there was a gentle rain falling that had created a rainbow. As I passed over the top of a bridge I could see the rainbow stretching across the whole Chicago skyline with an airplane right in the middle of it poised for its landing at O’Hare Airport. I felt like it was God’s way of saying, “I will be with you always,” not just to me, but to the city and to our country. That moment also will be engraved in my heart forever.
September 11 changed a lot of things, but it didn’t change the determination of our people to overcome challenges and keep the American dream alive. Today is a day to reflect on all the blessings we have and reconfirm our faith in the future and our faith in God’s guiding hand. So today, as we did in 2001, we once again are reminded to pray for the victims, the families who are still grieving and for God to give our country strength.
God Bless America!
Knowing that our lawn was visible from the air and also in a high-traffic area, we decided that we could take advantage of our location to carve out a message. Joe Slavicek, our warehouse manager and a Vietnam veteran, spray-painted a huge red, white and blue heart on our lawn with the words U.S.A. in the center. Then we gave all our employees a flag and each one planted a flag around the heart as we joined hands in prayer for the people who were lost, the families who were grieving and for God to give our country strength to recover from this tragedy. Cars and trucks passed by and honked their horns and smiled at our message.
Several days later the planes began to fly again. We will never know if passengers and staff in the airplanes flying overhead saw our message, but it didn’t matter. What mattered was the action we took, the prayer we shared and the moment that is engraved in all our hearts.
Two days later on my way into work there was a gentle rain falling that had created a rainbow. As I passed over the top of a bridge I could see the rainbow stretching across the whole Chicago skyline with an airplane right in the middle of it poised for its landing at O’Hare Airport. I felt like it was God’s way of saying, “I will be with you always,” not just to me, but to the city and to our country. That moment also will be engraved in my heart forever.
September 11 changed a lot of things, but it didn’t change the determination of our people to overcome challenges and keep the American dream alive. Today is a day to reflect on all the blessings we have and reconfirm our faith in the future and our faith in God’s guiding hand. So today, as we did in 2001, we once again are reminded to pray for the victims, the families who are still grieving and for God to give our country strength.
God Bless America!
2 comments:
I remember what I was doing the morning of 9/11......sitting on my couch writing out invitations for a show. I also remember that I had a show scheduled that night. When I called my hostess still stunned by the events we had just witnessed, I asked if she wanted to reschedule her show. She surprised me with her answer....Absolutely not!!! We need this!!! We need to get together and just share our feelings. I want to be with my friends!!
It was a little uncomfortable at first. We all sat there and shared our shock, sadness and disbelief. Then after we all expressed our feelings be it anger, sadness, or fear, we forgot about reality for a while and had a wonderful time focusing on ways to make life better with beautiful products for our homes.
I also remember that Madolyn invited all leaders to come to Chicago to be together. This was around the first part of October and I was sacred to death to fly, as was everyone else. I knew I needed to go to simply hear that things were going to be OK and our businesses would survive this horrific event. I remember walking through O'Hare airport and seeing all the armed National Guards standing around like statues. The airport looked more like a military facility than an airport!!!
Standing around the heart out lined by American flags on the front lawn of the home office, we gathered around, held hands, cried and prayed for things to be better. It was an experience I will never forget and one that I am glad I got to be a part of.
Thank you Madolyn for knowing what to say to give us hope when there wasn't a lot of it.
We survived and we are stronger because of it.
God Bless America!!
That was so nicely said. For all of us that remember it like it was yesterday. I too will always remember every detail of tht day and the numbness that I felt it takes our minds and lives in a different direction after something like that. So greatful for the American spirit that we can contiue on with our lives in freedom. It is great to see Signature Homestyles so strong and growing here and in Canada. Thanks Madolyn for the oppertunity to be a part of your wonderful company.
Brenda Pyle Erie, PA
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