Grounded in love, not fear

I encountered a steel beam from the World Trade Center in Clear Lake, Iowa in 2013.  It offered a bridge to an unseen presence.  Something lost was unexpectedly found.  

The steel beam in Iowa is grounded in love, not fear.  It survived. It too has transformed as we have through the years. The ability to see that piece of steel covered with concrete and rock delivered a reminder of what remains: love and the remembrance of them, all the individuals who lost their lives, and also all the people who rallied in so many supportive ways across the world. 

I touched the concrete and rock remembering the compassion, the prayers, the hope for them and their rescue. The 110-story towers had seemed indestructible before 9:59 on 9/11. Yet, before our eyes, the downward force of crumbling concrete transformed what seemed indestructible into an engulfing black cloud that left mountains of loss and dust.

The human heart broke open and was emptied that day. Before a tower fell, I was sending peace and love to them. Again, I hoped for their rescue. When each tower was disintegrating, I was praying for those dying before my eyes. I was not the only one focused on mercy and goodness, peace and love during that day. I was hoping all our love would save them.

Encountering one steel beam still holding concrete and rock in Iowa reminded me that the love poured out still lives in different ways. Small acts of love make a difference even if we never know the outcome. That’s something I’ve learned since 2001.

“Remember them” requires learning. When the next generation approaches the steel beam, what will we tell them? In the tragedy that is 9/11, we need to also remember the love. It was present that day that was unimaginable.