9/11 - 2001

10 years ago in late August, I went to the Salt Lake International Airport to see my Mom during a lay over. She flew in from Twin Falls and was heading to Seattle, where I would be going in a few days. For some reason, I felt I needed to be there. We chatted a bit as we sat near the gate and I left before her flight was called. It wasn't until two or three weeks later that I realized why I felt the urgency to visit her at the airport.**
On September 11th, I woke up and did the usual. Drank my orange juice, got dressed and went to the Cottonwood Mall to get my walk in before work. It was looking to be a nice September day. As I made my last walk thru the food court, the TV was broadcasting "Breaking News". I really didn't think much of it, because it seemed as if there was always "Breaking News" on CNN. I remember one of retirees, a regular mall walker, saying something about the current broadcast. But what was happening didn't hit me until I was driving to work. As usual, I had my radio tuned in B98.7fm and Brady and (can't remember his name) were talking about the planes attacking the Twin Towers in New York. When I got to work, I found out that a plane had also flown into the Pentagon. There was no way I would be able to hide in my selfish little world with this; the tragedy was too big to ignore.

Throughout the morning I listened to B98.7 as Brady and her co-anchor kept us informed. They stayed on the air for most of the day informing us of the events as they unfolded; when South and North towers collapsed, Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania and even when tower 7 collapsed. During lunch, CNN kept me and my friends informed. Kristen and I emailed each other during the day, sharing our thoughts and keeping each other informed. Needless to say, I didn't get much work done, but neither did anyone else. Blue Cross granted those who had children permission to leave for the day to pick up their children from school. I think Peggy was the only one from our department who left early, maybe Dawn left early too.
During the day, I kept thinking I knew of someone who perished at the towers. My cousin, Chris Boice was a pilot for American Airlines, so that might have been the reason for that feeling. When I talked to my mom that night, she informed me that Chris was in St. George with his parents. He either had a day off or was vacation. I was grateful he was okay, but I still could not shake the feeling that there was someone I knew.
A few days later, my sister Mary told me that my niece, Tracie lost a friend in New York. Eugene was a New York Firefighter who responded to the call of duty after his shift was over. Tracie and Eugene met in New York while she was a nanny. He followed her Portland while he waited for an opening in New York Fire Department. Eugene got the call; he left right away from Oregon. Tracie met Chris (not my cousin) and both started a family. I made an braided ankle bracelet of yard. I wore it for Eugene; the only time I would take it off was when I showered. It went to work, bed, walking, shopping, and even St. George with me. When Eugene's body was found, then I would remove it. I had heard that when a police officer or firefighter's body was found, a moment of silence occurred after an American flag was draped over his body. I never did receive word if or when his body was found, but I took it off in mid December. Somehow I sensed there was a closure and I pasted the bracelet in my journal. Eugene was at peace and we as citizens will always remember him and the others who vanished that September morning.

I read about this pin in The Salt Lake Tribune, bought it at the Olympic Store in Cottonwood Mall. I ordered this pin from Salt Lake Olympic Committee website. I received this on September 11, 2002. Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Utah. As we came in the door, each employee was given a pin. This statue honoring Firefighters who died September 11, 2001 is at the Belmont Firehouse in Portland OR area. Tracie, my niece was a part of the effort to create this memorial that was unveiled in 2005.

**After 9-11 attacks, security at the airport got tighter. Before 9-11, family and friends could meet with passengers at the gate. Now only people with tickets are allowed beyond the security check point.

After 9-11

I went to work on September 12th just I did the day before. I guess that was one of my first defiant acts that I directed toward the terrorists. When the thought of dropping out as a volunteer for Salt Lake Winter Olympics crossed my mind, I remained committed. I would not quit living.
Each year, I vowed to do something on September 11th to thumb at the terrorist. The first year was easy; I went to work as usual and got a pin for my efforts. In 2003, I was traveling across Iowa and crossed the Mississippi River. The next year, I found myself on Trax going downtown and to Sandy to see the healing field. In 2005, it was a Sunday and I went to church. The next year, I was less enthused about thumbing the terrorists. I went work for the first time on that date since 2002 and I rode a UTA bus to get there. The few years were like that until last year. September 11th was on a Saturday again.
Some say September 11th changed them. I am not so sure. Being in the west I was away from the events. I had no family members who were directly affected by the events, even I though Eugene was a good friend of my niece, Tracie. Over the years, I have read of a Kaysville family who lost their mom/grandmother and sister/aunt, who was in the first plane that crashed into the North Tower. I have read of Brady Howell’s widow, Liz, who served a mission after her husband died and was part of a medical team in Haiti when the earthquake rocked the tiny island nation.
I have changed over the years, but I don’t know if I could attribute the changes to September 11th. I now work at the University of Utah, after being laid off at the insurance company. I rely on public transportation, because I don’t have a car. And some of the changes are due to age. Maybe I am kinder; I still volunteer and give presents to my nieces and nephews on their birthdays. I donate to charities, which may be the result of September 11th. But I am basically the same person as I was before. I am Susan; I am an American and I love chocolate. I still believe in Jesus Christ, who is my savior and God, who was there on September 11, 2001. He did not abandon us and He never will.

Back to School

I saw this picture as I was going to bed last night. It is my older siblings on their first day of school. Every year my mom would take our picture while we waited for the bus to pick us up and take us back to school. When I looked at my oldest brother, Mike; I had to laugh. He does not look thrilled at all. John doesn’t look too happy either, but Mary is smiling; barely. Mike reminds me how I felt two weeks ago. Now that I work on campus, the first day of school no longer brings excitement; it just means a chaotic day on campus. It’s a mother of all Snoopy Mondays. In the past two weeks, school has started at most schools and colleges, Granite (the school district I live in) and Canyons (the school district Crystal attends) both started Monday, August 22nd. The University of Utah also started that same day. When I got off the bus, I noticed the campus was alive again. As I was heading toward the library, I noticed a freshman with a map asking another student questions. I even saw a parent, who after looking at one of the maps posted throughout the campus; ask me directions to the bookstore. That was where she had parked her car. She then commented that the maps were wrong. Granted it is easy to get turn around on the University campus, but all maps have north at the top and south at the bottom. When I got to the office where I work, I told my co-workers that an episode of Lost could have been filmed on campus (and probably others) this morning.

BYU (when my nephews and niece attend) and UVU (where Jared attends) started this past Monday,, August 29th. Both Brian and Jared were returning to campus after a two year absence from their campuses.

My niece’s daughters started this Thursday, September 1st in their new schools in the State of Washington. Vanessa was starting her senior year, while Isabella started first grade. If Vanessa pointed any sophomore or freshman in the wrong direction, it wasn’t intentional. She was probably as lost as they were and having a Snoopy Monday on a Thursday.

Morning in Park City

Jay woke me up just before 4:30am. I took my thyroid pill, brushed my teeth and got dressed. John came by at 4:35am to drive us to Park City. Jay was running his 3rd half-marathon. We got there about 5:00am and after Jay picked up his race packet, we headed back to the Newpark Hotel and waited. The starting line was outside the hotel. While we waiting, we saw an old neighbor from the Valley View 3rd ward. Diane was there with two of her running friends, one who was running her 100th marathon. Diane has run over 70 marathons herself. Before long we found Tina, one of Jay’s classmates from Minico. We all missed Stacy, who has run the previous two half-marathons with Jay and Tina. It was good to see Tina’s mom again. She is Tina’s biggest race fan.

After Tina and Jay took off, the three of us watched the second wave of runners start and then I realized we needed to catch Jay and Tina leave Newpark for the road. John yelled out Jay’s name and I saw the back of him as he flashed thru the park. We both caught Tina, but when I took the picture, another runner came between the camera and Tina.

John and I left Newpark grounds and walked to McDonalds, where we had breakfast. I enjoyed my August hot chocolate while he ate his burrito and hash brown. Then we headed back to the starting/finish line at the Newpark Hotel. While we waited I got on Facebook and John slept in the lobby. At 8:30am, I went to the finish line. I called John to remind him that it was time. He was still napping when Jay rolled in at 8:45am. But he was there to see Tina come in, less than an hour later.




We took a few pictures, and then we left. Tina and her mom were heading back to a Salt Lake City and we were headed back to McDonald’s (before heading back to a hot Salt Lake). Jay needed his breakfast.

Tornado & Brennan

On August 11, 1999 at 12:45pm, a tornado touched down in Salt Lake and an hour later at 12:44, my nephew, Brennan was born in Orange County.
The tornado that roared thru downtown Salt Lake on August 11th touched down somewhere near a bar west of downtown, ripped a few shingles off the Delta Center (now the Energy Solutions Center where the Jazz still play), disturbed a Outdoor Retailers Show, uprooted the Honeymoon Tree by the Salt Lake Temple, took out a number of trees east of the State Capitol, raped Memory Grove and destroyed homes in the avenues. Granted it was nothing like Joplin, Missouri, but it was worst that ever hit Utah. (That is until a tornado ripped thru Manti a few years later. I can’t remember the damages done to Manti, except for a tree in my cousin, Lannette’s yard that needed to be uprooted. Mother Nature got one thing correct that day.) When the tornado went thru downtown Salt Lake that August afternoon, only one person died. He was working at the Outdoor show getting a tent ready for the event. If I remember correctly the show was postponed for a few days. A month or so later, I was looking north from the (LDS) Church Office Building and I could see Memory Grove. The park looked so naked with out the trees. Nine years later, I was there for a wedding reception. Memory Grove was beautiful again.
Later in the evening on August 11, 1999, my brothers and I received a call. Brennan was alive and well in his mothers arms. Spencer was a big brother and would soon have a playmate. It was so nice to have good news that day. A few weeks later, his birth announcement came in the mail. Imagine my surprise when I noticed the time of his birth. Although, my brother and his family weren’t in the Salt Lake Valley, I still think of Brennan as a tornado baby.

Pioneer Day

Pioneer Day, July 24th is a big day in Utah; some say it is more celebrated than the 4th of July. It may have a ring of truth in the Salt Lake Valley. There are the Days of 47 parades, rodeo and other events. Pioneer Day is celebrated in other Utah cities. Last week, Draper honored their pioneer heritage and Cottonwood Heights is celebrating their pioneer heritage this weekend. And Manassa, Colorado is celebrating Pioneer Day this weekend. Manassa has been honoring their pioneer heritage for very long time. Since the 24th falls on Sunday, the holiday will fall on Monday. But in Manassa, Colorado, the celebrations are most likely today, since outside Utah, Monday is just another day in paradise. The first parade I attended in Manassa was in 1980. My mom was in the San Luis Valley attending to my grandma, who was dieing from brain cancer. My brother, Mike, drove her car from Idaho with Jay and Laura, who were still minors at the time. They picked me up in Salt Lake and John in Provo. We all fit in 1978 Chevette and I surprised that none of us were killed on the way to the San Luis Valley. Since it was the 24th weekend, we were able to drive to Manassa to see the parade. There were a few floats. I remember one little boy on one of the floats saying Hi to his mom when the parade came back thru town a second time. In 2004, I attended a Jackson family reunion. One of our activities was attending the parade. There were more floats, so it didn’t have the same small town feel as it did before. But it still came back to town like it did before. My cousin, Will’s son, Sam surprised us all when he waved to us from a float. Apparently someone saw him and invited him to participate. Before the parade, my brothers, John, Steven and Jay ran the The Pioneer Day 5k race along with my cousins. Of course, David, my cousin and Sam’s uncle was the first family member to cross the finish line. But then he completes in Triathlons. Jay, the marathon runner came in second or third. Both David and Jay won ribbons in their age division. After the parade, Will took us on a tour of where our ancestors, Samuel Jackson and his son, Lafayette lived. Both houses in Manassa are still standing, including Samuel Jackson’s ranch house near Sanford, Colorado. When I got back to Utah, one of my co-workers was surprised that a small town in Colorado celebrated Pioneer Day. I told her that Mormons settled in the Manassa along with the Catholics and Pioneer Day was celebrated that weekend to honor all those who settled in the valley. Even in the Salt Lake Valley, the Days of ’47 celebrates not just the Mormon Pioneers who came at the end of July, but others who followed, the Catholics, the Jews, the Greek Orthodox, the Baptists and other faiths and groups.
After I shared this post with my aunt, she informed that the Pioneer Parade in Manassa once had a Brigham Young and (one of) his wives as marshals of the parade. One year, my parents were selected as the couple to represent Brigham Young and Mrs. Young. I am thinking this was shortly after my parents were married and before my oldest brother was born. My mom said (if I remember right) that my dad was a reluctant participant. My aunt said my dad probably liked driving the horses or whatever one does with horses pulling a buggy.

Draper Days-Celebrating Utah

I did another day of service. Actually it was less than 4 hours at the Draper Days Breakfast, but after my 4 hours of service at the Race for the Cure, I can say I did a day of service. I have accepted President Erying's challenge.

My brother, John picked up Jay and me about 6am to help out with the annual Draper Days on July 16th. While we were driving out, I realized that July is a busy time for Utahns to celebrate. Provo has a huge celebration, complete with a concert and firework show and one of the biggest parades in the state the weekend of 4th of July. (Murray, Sugarhouse and Holladay also fireworks.) Last weekend, Taylorsville celebrated their annual Taylorsville Days. Next weekend, Salt Lake City will party with the biggest parade in the state and fireworks somewhere. That celebration probably started this past week with the Days of 47 royalty and Youth parade yesterday. Cottonwood Heights will also celebrate their Butlerville Days the same weekend as Salt Lake City.

For some time, the Draper Lions have sponsored a breakfast before the Draper Days parade. The Lions are a service organization. John was a member of Holladay Lions and when he moved to Sandy, he became involved with the Draper Lions. John requirted Jay and me a few years ago. This year was our third or fourth year to help John out. On the way to the park, John told us that the South Valley Kiwanis (another service organization) were helping out for the first time at the breakfast. A few were there when we arrived and helped us set up. Some more showed up just before the rush (which happens annually after the 5k race). Most left soon after we closed up shop, except for one guy named Millet (French name pronounced Mel-lay) who stuck around for clean up. He was performing with a group at noon, either at the Draper Park or somewhere close by.

When the Draper Days parade turned the corner to go around the park, I noticed an entry that a monkey that looked a lot like Curious George. A few months ago, I purchased a "Curious George" book in Spanish (I'm making a less than serious attempt to learn Spanish.), so when I saw this monkey, I knew I had to get a picture, so when I saw it on the street before the street that I was closest to, I left the tent with my cellphone that has the camera. After I took his picture, the monkey shook my hand. I am thinking that this monkey was part of a local automotive business that had an entry in the parade. Quite a few local business will have entries in the parade, including dance studios.

The Draper Days parade is not one of the biggest parades in Utah, maybe one of the bigger one in the Salt Lake Valley. Days of 47 and the Freedom Festival parade in Provo are much bigger. But the Jazz bear still showed up. Just before this picture he squirting parade watchers with confetti from a can. When he passed by the spot where I was standing, he threw out styrofoam hats. The children seemed to love both. In some ways, the Draper Days parade is a preview of the Days of 47 Parade which is held on weekend of the 24th. Some of the floats that appear in this parade will be in the Days of 47 parade.

When we done serving, Karen mentioned that she could hear the pipers. One of the men in my ward has learned to play the bagpipes recently and is part of one of the two bagpipe bands in the valley. So I left tent and waited patiently for them to go around the park. I waited by the port-a-potties. When I saw them turn the corner, I opened my cellphone. When they got closer, I got the camera really for picture taking. Just as the pipers got in view, someone walked by or out of a port-a-potty, causing me to get the tail end of the band. I know don't if Brother Buchanan and his son were apart of the group or not. I forgot to ask his wife and I don't recognize any pipers in this picture.

Last year I notice this statute. The couple portrayed looks like they are ticked off about something. The male pioneer is holding a gun and she has her arm is reaching out for handout. I walked by this statute last year, thinking that ornery people settled Draper; they trusted no one and never got the handout they wanted. When I arrived at the park this year, I realized why this pioneer couple looked so ticked off. The birds visited them and left them some handouts no human ever wants.

Holladay 4th of July 2011

The City of Holladay has done a firework show for about ten years. While it isn't a big or fancy as the fireworks in Sugarhouse, it still draws a big crowd. My brothers and I attended our first Holladay fireworks in 2003, just before Jay and I moved to the Heart of Holladay. When Jay didn't want to walk to the park (because the next day was a work day), I would watch the fireworks from the parking lot or the sidewalk in front of the condos along our street.

Last year, the City of Holladay added a parade and breakfast. It was corny, but short parade last year and I enjoyed it. It was made of neighbors and children decorated their bikes and wagons. The parade started at City Hall, went along Laney Street and entered City Hall ground by the Fire Station. This year the parade was bigger, with more families and a longer route. It started 4500 south and went down Holladay Blvd, then crossed over to 2300 East where it ended at City Hall where breakfast was served. Firemen were serving breakfast.

About 2pm, the 4th leg of the Crit started. It started on north on Holladay Blvd, turned east and went by our condo. After passing us by, the racers turned south on 2300 East. Last year, the Crit, a version of short-track speed skating for cyclists, followed the same route. It was in July, but I am not sure if it was on the 4th or if it was the fourth leg of the Crit.

As usual, the day ended with the annual fireworks in the park. But since, it was a school night, I didn't plan to go. But Jay did. So what if he had to get up early the next morning. I had put on my pajamas a few hours and the thought of putting my warm jeans and t-shirt didn't sound too well. But I did sit out on the deck and listened to the fireworks. Sometimes I could hear the music. What surprised me was that I could see the fireworks flash on the trees in front of the condo. Light can travel far.

Something about Crystal

I was looking thru some files on my flash drive and I came across this. Crystal and her mom, Jewel recently came back from a two week stay in Ecuador. They had been doing volunteer work in the orphanages there. This reminds me of one of the ways Crystal got her start in founding one of her life's callings. Service often starts with thinking of others.

January 10, 2004 - I woke up in philosophy-kind of mood this morning. Maybe this is a good thing, because it caused me to think and if I share my thoughts, it might cause someone to think or have “oh” or even “a-ha” moment.
Last night, I was out at Crystal’s house again. The young woman (nine and half) had just come back from Hawaii after being there for almost two weeks. She had another time of her life. Crystal brought goodies back for almost everyone (and some for herself.) Postcards and bracelet for friends, t-shirts for the brothers and Dad, candles for Mom and Mom’s friend down the street. (Mom’s friend also spoils Crystal.) Crystal even bought me the chocolate macadamia nuts, I wanted from Hawaii. (Tell me who the spoiled one is here). And she knew her brothers would go nuts over the chocolates. (They were gone before I got there last night.)
On the way home, I thought of the compliment that I got on Christmas and five years ago.* And I realized that is what Crystal did in Hawaii. Crystal may be spoiled, but she does think of others quite regularly. I wonder if her brothers think of others like she does. Maybe Crystal thinks of others, because others think of her. It is that ripple affect.
Everyone knows of a selfish person who thinks of her/him and seldom think of others. I have noticed that selfish people can be bitter and what is sad, those around him/her are miserable. The selfish person blames others for her/his misery. So to rid yourself of misery, think of others. I am not the only one who is having problems. My co-workers have their difficulties, members of my family too. When I think of them, I know that I am not alone. When I do something for someone else, it lifts my spirits as well as theirs. And there comes the ripple effect. Maybe my thoughtfulness will cause them to think of others. And because others think of me, I am more likely to think of others. But when I surround by selfish people or associate with a selfish person, I tend to be more self-centered myself.
And so, Crystal made me think. She may be spoiled, but she does think of others. And in this selfish world, that is a good quality to have. Thanks to others who have shown her an example of thinking of others, she can have a rich life.

February 2, 2011 *can’t think of what the compliment was, but it probably something along the lines of thinking of others. Crystal cupided my door 2 years ago and one of the hearts read “u always think of others."