Lydia Estelle Bravo

I haven't posted for a few days. Partly because I still have my chest infection. But mainly because a few days ago I read, as always, Holli's blog. and she mentioned something that touched my heart. She added a simple link, I clicked on the link, and was automatically sent into overload. Here is the link 2,996 A Tribute to the victims of September 11th 2001.. Basically, you sign in, add your blogs name and your e mail address, and you are given the name of one of the precious people who perished on this day five years ago.

I did just that, I received my e mail, and I was "given" Lydia Estelle Bravo.

Since that day I haven't blogged. It didn't seem appropriate to whitter on about my trials and tribulations, knowing that I would be dedicating this post to such a special lady. I even regret my last post moaning about how I have a cough! What's that in light of the people we must remember today.

I read whatever I could find about Lydia, about how she loved to cook. How she had not long returned from a well earned holiday. About how she worked as an occupational nurse for Marsh and Mclellan on the 94th floor of the World Trade Center. How her Thanksgiving dinners were always five courses, and lovingly prepared. How she loved her fiance and her children. How people liked her, and how genuinly caring she was. And I realised there was something I had missed.

I re read the information. Lydia Estelle Bravo had only returned to work THAT DAY from her vacation. That hit me hard. If only her transport had been delayed, if only she had had a tummy upset that morning, or a flat tire. If only.

No more if only's. It sadly was meant to be.

I live in the UK. I remember vividly the moment one of the warehouse men came up into our offices and told us what he was hearing on the radio. I remember then that, yes it upset me, but I didn't live in America, I wasn't even sure what the World Trade Centre was! At that point the furthest I had been in my life was the South of France.....America was just a dream to me.

That day five years ago changed my life.

I returned home, and turned on the television. Newscasters were showing terrible things I'm sure you all have your own memories. Hubby returned home, I held him tight and cried. Not for the fear, not for the fact that he had come home. Something inside me changed that day. I realised that our world wasn't all wrapped up in cotton wool as it should be. It wasn't in a safety net of bubble wrap, covered in candy kisses and hearts and balloons. It was vulnerable.

I'll admit. I was overwhelmed. I turned the telelvision off, turned a cd on and tried to wipe out of my mind the suffering that was going on on the other side of the world to me.

The next day I read the papers, I read the stories, and saw the pictures of the missing people. The victims, the victims families.

Whenever there is a programme on relating to 9/11 I watch it. You may remember if you read my blog often that I recently posted about a documentary called the Falling Man. Whatever I watch, whatever I read I cry.

I think of the bravery. The fear, the final phone calls. But most of all I think of the love these people left behind.

Yesterday there was a picture in the paper of all of the children who had been born to widows of the 9/11 victims. It proves that life goes on.

America pulled together like no other country and helped in whatever way they could. Whether it be by helping one person accross the street. Helping ten people out of a burning building. Climbing 90 floors to save lives. Or watching the rescue teams working afterwards.

I think on that day, and the few days after, the whole world had only America in their thoughts and in their hearts. I know I did.

Back to Lydia. Lydia Estelle Bravo, who would have celebrated her eleventh anniversary with her fiance this year. Who was only 50 years old on September the 11th 2001.

Maybe her name says it all?

Lydia Estelle BRAVO

I will always remember you, as I will remember all, anyone affected by the events five years ago.

I hope you are watching over us all now. I hope you, and your family approve of the words here today. Especially for you. You are in my heart today, and always.

Please remember, along with 2,995 others. Lydia Estelle Bravo.

Whisky

xx