9/11 remembered today

In listening to the radio program talk shows today, while driving to complete errands, 9/11 was the theme, 17 years ago.  I was teaching music class at Father Bressani CHS, in Woodbridge.  I recall a student:  Matthew Fava asked to be excused from class for washroom break.  Matthew played the tuba.  Today, well, I think he continues to work at the Canadian Music Centre!  His sister, another former music student continued with music as well, playing the French Horn.  I think her name is Elizabeth Fava.  When Matthew returned to class, he walked slowly to his spot in the classroom.  I noticed also that he was muttering words to his classmates as he passed through the crowd of students.  I found his behavior to be disruptive and actually cautioned him to return to his seat in a more efficient manner, to focus immediately and actively return to participating with usual professional attention to the activity we were still engaged in.  After my caution, Matthew stopped at his chair location, still standing, and said:  “An airplane crashed into the World Trade Centre Tower”!

At first, many students and myself were silent and then reacted in disbelief as we noticed the seriousness and fear in Matthew’s face and voice-delivery of that phrase.  Then, some students started to ask Matthew additional questions, and conversations began around the classroom.  There were no cell phones to verify this.  I do not remember what happened after this announcement by Matthew.

At any rate, we were planning an excursion in the spring to Greece!  We did not go on this trip, but did complete a trip to Alberta, by train.  It was a great trip.  Matthew Fava did not attend.  He really wanted to travel to Greece which included a cruise ship part.

I turned-off the radio during my travels today because 9/11 was sad.  We humans have so much potential to do good and we choose to do harm to others. 

In Toronto, in every day, it seems, there is a news report of a shooting.  We have experienced people killed on sidewalks by motor vehicles.  It’s not safe anywhere:  not at work, not at school, not in your home, not while attending a celebration.  Everyone is suspicious and paranoid.  There is sadness, hurting, drugs, alcoholism, stealing, lying, crazy drivers, fast food, media, advertising, crowds of inpatient, out-of-control tempers, climate changing announcements, disease, anger, suffering, which surround us, everyday!  This constant bombardment of negative news, noise pollution, anxiety, fear, at accelerated speed cannot be good for us, but only adds to frustration and harm.

Remembering 9/11, and where I was and the days, weeks, and months that following 9/11 reminds me of how sad this world is, and that’s too bad, because there is so much to be thankful of, and yet, this goes unnoticed, because goodness is drowned out by all the noise.

Bye for now.