Image: Newscom

President Obama will be formally declaring September 11th a National Day of Service and Remembrance. It is true that most remember the day, but to have it declared will be a huge step. Did you know there are some schools that will probably avoid the subject completely?

An organization that calls themselves “MyGoodDeed” has come out with a website where people are actually posting what they will be doing to honor the day. The site is www.911dayofservice.org for those that can’t think of anything to do, this may help inspire you.

Here’s an example of a few good deed pledges:
- Jay S. Winuk & David Paine built “MyGoodDeed” after the death of of Jay’s brother, Glen J. Winuk. Glen had been a volunteer firefighter and EMT who died in the line of duty when the collapse of the World Trade Center happened.
- Stephen Petrovich, from Huron, Ohio plans on calling all the emergency workers and first responders to thank them for their service.
- Jannelle Caulkins Aten plans on donating to her local food bank.
- Salt Lake County will be planting a million trees in honor of September 11th.
- Ellen Carlton will discuss 9/11 with her daughter, both will wear red, white and blue and she will help her 91 year old neighbor in any way she can.
- Another person is filling out their organ donor card, just in case something were to happen to them, someone else could benefit from their life.

These are just a few examples of the good deeds that are planned for today. So far, I’ve stopped both of my oldest to talk about today and make sure they remember what today is, just in case they don’t talk about it in school. My 9-year-old had never heard it discussed in school, hopefully today they will speak about it. After reading some of the “good deeds” my daughter changed clothes and is now wearing red, white and blue.

Post from: Blisstree

Doing Good Deeds on 9/11

Photo: Ben Shafer/SXC

• Fly your flag at half staff. If you have a flag on your home, putting it at half staff is a nice gesture and is a request of the Patriot Day Presidential Proclamation. (The proclamation also asks Americans to observe a moment of silence.)
• Give some support to your local rescue worker crew. Give a donation for better equipment or just write a note thanking them for their service.
• Volunteer at a place that helps others in need. Homeless shelters, food banks, etc.
• Plant something beautiful. I’m thinking it would be nice to start a small garden in a spot visible from the road that you add one plant to each year on Patriot Day. White and red mums and blue dwarf Plumbago would create a beautiful, patriotic display for years to come.

Do you have any Patriot Day ideas?

Post from: Blisstree

Patriot Day Ideas

I came across the e-mail of a former employer yesterday and decided to send her a brief “shout out” (I hate that phrase). I never expected her to write back, but she did…and I’m so glad.

I miss her terribly…isn’t that an odd thing to say about a boss?

Several years ago, this woman hired me to work for her at a very large financial institution. While I have an extensive marketing background, which is what the job required, my previous job was at a large European luxury car company.

You can imagine that working all day on marketing details for a car company would be quite different than at a financial institution.

It’s so rare that a transition such as that can be recognized by a perspective employer as potentially valuable…but she saw something in me.

Soon after I was hired, September 11th occured…and while we each tried our best to get on with business…it was nearly impossible.

Not only were our offices a block away from Ground Zero, Sr. management was trying to make critical changes to our department.

Shortly after those events, much of our tightly knit department began to dispand. Some of us were walking wounded, some of us couldn’t bear the political strain and some of us just couldn’t bear being in lower Manhattan anymore.

So, 4 years later, I’ve re-connected with the woman who was my mentor…and now she and I are each doing something completely new with our careers. I find it so fascinating how resilient the human spirit can be.

I’m so happy for her…I know she will be the success I knew she would be.

Cheers Evi Anne!

Image: Henry Stahlhut/Conde Nast

Post from: Blisstree

Cheers To A Former Boss.

So off we go to enchanting, Long Beach Island–a barrier island off the coast of Jersey. And if you haven’t been…don’t make fun. (Exit 63, if you must know.)

I’m hoping I’ll have internet access so that I can check in at some point; but if that doesn’t happen, I’ll see you in a week.

And of course, this Monday, I’ll be thinking about that other island, my Manhattan…as I have done for the last five years.

Post from: Blisstree

What Exit You From? It’s Vacation Time!