9/11 Birthdays

[prberk]

Several members of this forum have birthdays on 9/11: jrpetty, Denny-J, abudd, Drew Crestini, mia231, hockeymom, creekwayne, and BrianE365.

First, I wish you all the best on your upcoming birthday.

Second, I am curious how the tragedy afftected your birthday last year, and maybe your expectations or out look this year.

I hope that that is not rude to ask. I was just curious. And in looking at the calendar I felt I had to "reach out" and let you know I am sorry that your birthday has become associated with the tragedy., Again, I wish you the best.

The same goes for those of you with birthdays or anniversaries in the days surrounding September 11, also.

 

[Al]

Its funny when I think, but my birthday is only a few days before 9/11.

I was thinking about it at christmas, and it seems like ages before - but actually.............only a few days

 

[hockeymom]

First of all, thank you very much for the birthday wishes. You're not being rude at all to ask (I don't believe you are anyway).

Although I am past the point of being super excited about having birthdays anymore, I really don't enjoy having my b-day associated with the 9/11 tragedy. I will admit, I am reluctant to say that is when my b-day is, only because of the reaction it brings (I have actually gotten the "how horrible" several times), but I do not feel sorry for myself. The massive loss of life that day is far more important for people to remember than someone's birthday.

Last year, my birthday was overlooked by people who normally don't miss it, but ONLY because of what happened, I completely understand that and have absolutely no bad feelings about it. How could I? We were all in shock. The loss that occurred that day affected so many people. my heart goes out to absolutely everyone who lost someone special that day, a birthday to me seems rather insignificant that way.

As for my outlook this year - I do have mixed emotions about it, but, I can look at it as nobody I know is going to forgot my birthday this year. Also, since I have school age kids, my birthday is usually spent doing other activities anyway, simply because it is in September, school has started and the activities (hockey, school sports, homework, etc.) are all underway, there is usually someplace else to be, so a lot of times, we'll do something special on a different day (trust me, as you get older, you mind it less!). My son was sad that he had told someone that my birthday was on 9/11 because he thought it would make me sad. Am I sad ? maybe only about being another year older, but that is another year that I have had that so many others did not. Yes, it definitely is a downer to have a birthday coincide (or anniversary - my grandparents 71st anniversary was also on 9/11), but nothing will change that, and it is always "someone's" birthday when tragedies occur.

I will also mention that although I am Canadian, the tragedy affected us just as greatly, since our countries are so close and have so many great bonds. (my parents are also American citizens and since I work for a U.S. based company, I have many friends who are American).

Thanks for asking and letting me share that with you.

 

[kal1484]

Although my birthday is on September 14th, it was only 3 days later. My birthday didnt seem very important anymore, and it was the longest three days ever because you didn't know what was going to happen, and being a HS student, was very scared. 9-11 won't affect my b-day too much in following years, but last year, it seemed a lot less important than in the past.

 

[Camelot]

September 11th is the date my Mother passed away in 1989.
So I woke up on the morning of 9-11-01, the "anniversary" of her passing, with a heavy heart. And then, the rest of the day unfolded. It was one rough day.

 

[prberk]

Thanks for the replies.

It looks like the common theme is that September 11 last year, ironically, put things somewhat in perspective. You all have a great attitude. Too bad sometimes it takes tragedy to remind us what important.

I hope we don't get any more tragedies to remind us...

 

[homer424]

One of the women on my block went into labor on the morning of 9/11 before anything happened. She gave birth to her son I believe within minutes of the second tower falling. She was so sad for her poor little boy who will always have this to think of on his birthday, but thankful that she had her DH, 2 DD's and parents there with her and that, like hockeymom said,he CAN have birthdays and parties again unlike so many lives who were lost. I am not sure what they are doing this year (we moved away and lost touch) but I hope they give him lots of love and a great big party.