Monday, September 12, 2005

Pipe Dreams on 9/11


On September 11, this year I assembled with the New London Firefighters pipes and drums band in Mystic, Connecticut. We usually gather in some parking lot, tune, drink a few beers and muster up to march and play. While we were tuning, a piper and I were talking.

"Have you noticed, Vern, that every September 11 is just like the day it happened. A beautiful day," I said.

He nodded, "It's like we have to keep doing this day over and over again until we get it right."

As we formed up in our ranks and file, my drum slinging over my shoulder; I was thinking about what Vern had said. He was right. As we marched down the street, food festival guests watching us pass by, I began thinking about living a day over and over, waiting to "get it right." I began to wonder what we might do to put our lives, our nation back on course. I began to wonder how we can change the catastrophic, the sadness, and the mark on such a beautiful day.

We circled and began playing our memorial sets. In that sober moment I watched people show some indication of reverance, taking off their hats, hands across their hearts, looking up to the American flag.

We started the last two songs, Going Home and Amazing Grace, and the crowd grew quiet as the single piper began. As the rest of the band drew in, I felt a surge of sadness and distress, but it was beyond the tears and the mourning. It was the panic of having lost something intangible, and not knowing where to find it and foster it. America has taken the human out of humane and that is evident now down in the south. As we rolled into our final notes of Amazing Grace, I felt a surge of emotions that drew me away from some of the terrible sadness and out, looking for something that has been lost in war, politics and sadness. Looking for the soul of America is better than mourning its loss forever. Until we find it, we have to keep living that day over and over again until we get it right. -- Ron Samul

Friday, September 02, 2005

Greetings and Peace to MFA Family

Just a brief note to say "Hi" from Atlanta to all the MFA folks. We walked away relatively unscathed from Katrina, except 9 tornadoes across the metro area. The majority of stations in the metro area are out of gas since Wednesday and prices have been outrageous since Tuesday, power out in some places Monday/Tuesday, but perhaps things will return to "normal" soon.

I have corresponded with a few of you, and to the rest of you, I hope to say a personal hello soon! Good luck in the program!

Tracey

Thursday, September 01, 2005

Wide Greeting

Hi all!

Well, I don't really have much important to say, but I like to keep in touch via the blog. For those of you who have e-mailed me, I super promise I'll get back to you soon. Things here have been crazy. My sister finished building her house a little over a week ago, and moved in a few days ago. The problem? This house was smack dab in the middle of Biloxi, Mississippi. So... I've been on the phone with her a lot trying to sort things out... it's been crazy. Apparently her house still exists, but needs a lot of work and they're not allowed to go back for quite some time, so... there's some excitement.

Have we all readjusted to the real world again? Dorm life and superb food for a week really throws you off.

Peace, love, and that chocolate thing with strawberries we had that one time,
Claire

My Kids Are Back In School!!!!!!!

I've been hanging on by the skin of my teeth while they were on vaca. Parked them in front of videos on a few beautiful days just to get stuff done. I have two photos from the residency on my phone. One is of me, Tracey and Natie when I brought them to the limo to NYC. The other is a very dim shot from the impromptu reading. I will try to figure out how to get them onto the blog. Otherwise email me at DorfK@aol.com and I will attach them to an e. Hope all is well with everyone.
Kim
PS. I agree totally about Laurel, Don.