Remembering 9/11, Tears Of Sorrow And Joy.

I was in my car driving to the office.  On the radio they were announcing that a plane just hit the World Trade Center.  They didn't know what was happening or why it hit the building.  It was so real to me.  When I finally made it into the office.  I ran into the TV room.  Everyone was watching the news.  Once we found out what was really going on, it was pure shock and devestation.  As we watched people stumble and run aimlessly around the streets of New York, while others were running to get out.  This jarred my memory of the CA Northridge earthquake.  I was living in CA and had never experienced an eathquake.  When it hit very early in the morning I didn't know what was happening.  My bed and entire house was shaking like a doll house. I was mad and scared.  After it the shaking and rumbling stopped stopped I heard a car engine turn on and screech down the road like a bat out of hell.  I wanted to leave too. My roommate and neighors wouldn't let me. We were all outside checking on each other especially the elderly neighbors.   We were there for each other, each neighbor a stranger, was now helping everyone like they knew them.  Oddly enough, this is what happened in New York that same day and for months afterwards.  This is how the website, www.MeetUp.com was created.  I recieved a letter from Scott Heiferman, Co-Founder & CEO, Meetup.  Scott lived a few blocks from the World Trade Center.  Here is a copy of the letter:

Fellow Meetuppers,

I don't write to our whole community often, but this week is
special because it's the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and many
people don't know that Meetup is a 9/11 baby.

Let me tell you the Meetup story. I was living a couple miles
from the Twin Towers, and I was the kind of person who thought
local community doesn't matter much if we've got the internet
and tv. The only time I thought about my neighbors was when I
hoped they wouldn't bother me.

When the towers fell, I found myself talking to more neighbors
in the days after 9/11 than ever before. People said hello to
neighbors (next-door and across the city) who they'd normally
ignore. People were looking after each other, helping each
other, and meeting up with each other. You know, being
neighborly.

A lot of people were thinking that maybe 9/11 could bring
people together in a lasting way. So the idea for Meetup was
born: Could we use the internet to get off the internet -- and
grow local communities?

We didn't know if it would work. Most people thought it was a
crazy idea -- especially because terrorism is designed to make
people distrust one another.

A small team came together, and we launched Meetup 9 months
after 9/11.

Today, almost 10 years and 10 million Meetuppers later, it's
working. Every day, thousands of Meetups happen. Moms Meetups,
Small Business Meetups, Fitness Meetups... a wild variety of
100,000 Meetup Groups with not much in common -- except one
thing.

Every Meetup starts with people simply saying hello to
neighbors. And what often happens next is still amazing to me.
They grow businesses and bands together, they teach and
motivate each other, they babysit each other's kids and find
other ways to work together. They have fun and find solace
together. They make friends and form powerful community. It's
powerful stuff.

It's a wonderful revolution in local community, and it's thanks
to everyone who shows up.

Meetups aren't about 9/11, but they may not be happening if it
weren't for 9/11.

9/11 didn't make us too scared to go outside or talk to
strangers. 9/11 didn't rip us apart. No, we're building new
community together!!!!

The towers fell, but we rise up. And we're just getting started
with these Meetups.

Scott Heiferman (on behalf of 80 people at Meetup HQ)
Co-Founder & CEO, Meetup
New York City
September 2011

I'm sharing this with you since 9/11 is a day that I resist remembering and have lots of tears.  However, today my tears were of sorrow and joy.  These memories and letter is proof that we can turn liabilites into assets.  We are strong even in the worst adversity.  I want to thank all of the brave Americans that took over the plane on 9/11 headed for the White House.  They sacrificed their lives for us.  Thank you to all the people that worked for months and years to restore the World Trade Center area.  Thank you to my past neighors that helped me after the earthquake. Thank you to Meet Up for creating an on line community that meets off line.  Peace & Love, Kristine :)

 

Click Here For Images &
American Flag Heart Pictures - Pictures

Kim And Kristine Halverson

Exclusive Representation of People & Their Properties

Prudential California Realty
3130 Wilshire Blvd Suite 100
Santa Monica, CA 90403

call: 310-737-8173
email: info@kimandkristine.com
web:  www.KimAndKristine.com

Short Sales, Luxury: www.ShortSaleInSantaMonica.com

The greatest compliment we can receive are your referrals, thank you in advance for having the confidence to refer your friends & family to us.