Flippant - Lacking proper respect or seriousness.
"Flippant" is the word that came to my mind last night, after I had typed my last post about "23 Skidoo and NYC". That was not my intent and I really want anyone who reads this blog to know that that day is still so upsetting to me that I can barely speak of it, let alone write about it. I mentioned Charmain who was there on that day and she has a post from last week on her blog at www.agirlandherneedle.blogspot.com. If you can, please go to her blog and read her account and see her photos. Believe me, I will never forget the events of September 11, 2001 and in no way would I ever wish to make light of that date. I just happened to read the background of the origin of that expression and it amused me that it came from New York City. You see, I heart New York. That is all there is to it.
http://www.trinitywallstreet.org/congregation/spc/about
Do you remember the church with the white walls that held all the artwork that the children sent to New York City after the attacks? That church is St. Paul's Chapel/Trinity Church and it is an Episcopal church, a very old one where George Washington once worshipped. It was decided that because of the great need, the congregation would hold their services elsewhere and the church would be used just for the relief workers, the firemen, the policemen...for meals, beds, counseling and for rest. From September 2001 until May of 2002, "the little church that stood" gave comfort and aid to those who were working at Ground Zero. St. Paul's was across the street from the buildings of the Twin Towers but the building of St. Paul's was not damaged, not even one broken glass. The brunt of the force was taken by a very old sycamore tree which was in the church graveyard and an artist, Steve Tobin, cast the roots of the tree into a 10 foot bronze sculpture and it has been on display since 2005. If you would like to see a video about it, it is here http://www.trinitywallstreet.org/webcasts/videos/history/september-11-2001/the-trinity-root
St Simon's Episcopal Church in Conyers, Georgia has St. Francis holding this dove which is a symbol of peace. Peace be with you.
Good morning Kay, I have come back last night from my week on Majorca and yours is the first blog I am reading today, just want to let you know we are back safe and sound, and I am just beginning now catch up on the goings-on in blogland.
ReplyDeleteI do remember having read about that church, and also sadly how there was a lot of trouble for and with the priest who was so helpful during those first terrible days and weeks.
Welcome back, Meike! Hope you had a wonderful time!
DeleteI don't know what priest you are referring to, it is a story that I might have missed. There was so much to take in at the time, it would be an easy thing not to have heard everything.
I have missed you! Glad you are back!
Hello Kay:
ReplyDeleteNo-one could possibly misunderstand your intentions in your previous post. And yes, it is so important to remember all those who have lost their lives in whatever conflict, wherever, in the hope that we may learn from what has gone before.
Recently in Kraków, in the Schindler factory, the plight of the Jewish people in that town during the years of the last war became so apparent to us. Man's inhumanity to man is frightening.
I am sometimes my own worst critic. Since it was so important to me, I wanted to make sure that everyone how I felt about Sept. 11th, especially since I had a link to someone who was in NYC on the day of the attacks.
DeleteIt is my hope that we and I mean all mankind not just Americans, that we can learn from history and try to make the future world a better and more peaceful place.
A grand statue of St Francis! I hadn't picked up anything untoward in your last post!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Paul! That little statue is at my church at St. Simon's Church! www.stsimonsconyers.net
DeleteThat is our website, if you would like to see it! There is a photo of me posing with our oldest member.
And I am glad that no one else thought I was flippant. That little voice that said that to me as I drifted off to sleep...I should have ignored it!
Part of remembering and honoring the loss of others is to go on and enjoy the time we have here, and the humor of life. You didn't come across as flippant to me.
ReplyDeleteMay the peace that passes understanding being with you today and every day.
Dear Mimi,
DeleteI agree and I hope that we will always have honor and respect for that day and for all the families who lost loved ones.
And also with you. +
Oh I didn't imagine you were being flippant for one moment. Very profound words from Mayor Guilliani, I think The Little Chapel That Stood is a great symbol of hope.
ReplyDeleteDear Tracey,
DeleteThanks, and I also feel that St. Paul's is something that everyone should know about, when I have told people here about it, they have said, "You mean, the one with white walls, with the children's artwork from all over the USA hanging up?" And I say, "Yes, that's the one." (They chose to leave the scuffed up areas from the firemen's boots...that might be different now, but I know they left them there for a while anyway.)
I have never heard of this little church before -- great story!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debra. I think it is and I want everyone to know about it!
DeleteI thought your last post was great, Kay. No one would think of applying the word 'flippant' to you, especially with such serious matters. I love this story of this church. It's truly a miracle that it was not damaged.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Martha! And I read in the description of the sycamore tree that scientists have figured that it was like the force of an atomic blast, that this tree absorbed for the sake of the church.
DeleteKay, I saw this church while I was in NYC. I loved how very old and quaint it looked. It was a miracle that it had no damage on that day ,9/11. If ever anyone goes to NYC, please go see this sweet church. Smiles to you Kay. xo, Susie
ReplyDeleteHey Susie!
DeleteThanks so much for your comment! Yes, I remember your posts in August when you went to NYC. You were there during the shootings at the Empire State Building.
I have told a lot of people about St. Paul's but I have not been there myself. Thanks for telling folks to visit it, from someone who has seen it!
And a lot of smiles right back to you! xx KAY
I read your previous post and didn't get any bad vibes from it Kay.
ReplyDeleteGood, I just wanted to be crystal clear in my intentions. It meant a lot to me since I was linking to someone who had actually experienced being in New York City on that day.
DeleteNot for one moment did I get the feeling that your last post was flippant, Kay. In fact, that is not a word I would apply to you ever - you are so sincere in everything you write. And I love that story of the little church! And the St. Francis statue - peace, indeed!
ReplyDeleteLove, Silke
Thank you so much Silke! I hope that people can sense that I am sincere.
DeleteAnd I am glad that you like this story too, we need more stories of hope and of peace.
Thank you so much for your comment! Glad you are home, hope you are settling back in!
I remember that post and don't recall a flippant attitude at all. The story of this church surviving is amazing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Connie. And I am glad that you like this story too.
DeleteNot to worry, Kay. I'm sure no one thought you were flippant in any way.
ReplyDeleteI am reading a book about the bombing of London, and the rationing, and how people coped. A strong generation.
Dear Terry,
DeleteJoan and Peter, my in-laws, lived in London during the bombing of World War II. I really need to post about them and what they endured. The rationing went on for many years after the war. Such a strong generation, I agree so much! Please, tell me, what is the name of the book?
Kay, thank you again for linking back to my Sept 11 experience. I appreciated your fist post. I think it embraced so much of the good that was intended to be destroyed that day. We are resilient and go on living, enjoying, loving, etc. and all without fear - the antithesis of terrorism. I visited St. Paul's before the attacks. It is a beautiful church with fantastic acoustics (if I didn't feel a little irreverent doing so, I would have belted out a song!). I visited again a year later. The memorials were heart wrenching. Thanks for sharing the story about the tree. I didn't know that!
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to have a new blogging friend!
Thanks so much for your comment here, Charmain. I can't tell you how much it means to me. It was only after I posted that I thought that it was possible that somone could misunderstand me. I read somewhere that instead of hate being the opposite of love, it is actually fear. That makes sense to me.
DeleteI have not been to St. Paul's but I would like to.
And I am thankful to have you as a new blogging friend too, and one who likes to crochet. A Girl And Her Needle, indeed! :-)