Personal Ramblings

I don’t really do much for 9/11 anymore. I use to attend the local memorial service but after awhile, it became too much. But the one thing I’ll always try and remember to do is share this post. I’ve moved blogs a few times since the first time I wrote this. I actually panicked this year because I forgot to bring the post to this blog. Good thing the WayBack Machine exists and I was able to find an older copy.

A few years ago I was able to visit the 9/11 Museum while in NYC. It was tough. It was emotional. But I made sure to stop and listen to John’s sister talk about her brother. I found myself crying for a man I never knew, but had this weird connection with, all because I signed up to help remember those that were lost that day. If you find yourself in New York, you can see John’s name on the memorial at the South Pool, Section S-39.

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A few months ago I signed up for the 2,996 Project. I had no idea who I would be assigned to. I didn’t lose anyone during 9-11 so I didn’t have a certain person that I wanted to blog about. I was assigned John Patrick Hart who was in the World Trade Center, Tower 2, 90th floor on that September day five years ago. I’m going to do my best to write about the man who was lost, and not the event that took his life.

After reading some information on Mr. Hart, it sounds like he was a one of a kind guy. He met his wife of 10 years when she was a flight attendant. She would always be showing off pictures of her two children on an airport shuttle. John would then make it a point to always take the shuttle she was on. After five trips he finally asked her out but there was a catch. He explained that she would have to bring her children. They went out for pizza and had fun bowling.

He was a dad would lend a helping hand at his children’s t-ball games. His sister, Jeanine, said that John was the type of dad that whenever he walked into a room, all the kids would just run to him. He would arrange his work schedule around his kids activities. He made sure his family always came first. He knew how important family was since he came from a large family of 5 siblings and had 4 children himself.

John was a typical guy in some aspects though. He was a huge “Cheese Head” who was a lifetime Green Bay Packers fan. During opening season of deer hunting in Wisconsin, you’d find him out there on his annual hunting trip. When in front of the TV, it would always be sports or shows about wars.

He was in New York City that day 5 years ago to teach a management class. The class was on the 90th floor of the World Trade Center’s south tower. After the plane slammed into the building he had enough time to call his wife at home to let her know he was OK. They think John had enough time to escape the Tower but his wife Laurie said that John felt that it was his responsibility to let those who were arriving for class know they didn’t have to stay.

In my eyes this man was a hero. He helped Laurie after her 1st marriage fell apart and adopted her two children. Not many men would step up to the plate like that. Not many men would ask that the children come along on the 1st date. This dad could have been any of our fathers and he reminds me of mine in a way. A father who always made sure he had time for his kids but did whatever he had to in order to make sure they had what they needed.

I don’t know if any of his friends or family are reading this but if you are, I want to let you know that even though I don’t know you or him, I could tell he was special just by reading the various articles I found. I’m sorry that you lost such an important part of your lives but I know that his spirit lives on inside you.

On this 9-11 I’ll be attending a local memorial service, I’ll be lighting my candle in honor of Mr. John Patrick Hart.

You can find the new list and website here.

The other day while catching up on reading other blogs, I came across an interesting post on Adventures of a London Kiwi. She answered 13 “When It’s Over” questions and I thought it was a really fun and interesting idea. I believe she found the questions on Life as Louise and she found the questions originally on KezzieAG. I think I have all the linking right but if not, let me know and I’ll fix/edit any mistakes! It’s been a bit of a struggle to come up with writing ideas and I’m sure other Bloggers are in the same boat. Maybe this will be a fun writing exercise and it never hurts to day dream about when we’re able to go out and about in the world again.

1. Restaurant you would go out to:

I’ve been trying to do my part by shopping local and supporting some of my favorite restaurants. But there’s still something nice about sitting down at your favorite place for a proper meal. I think the one thing I miss the most right now is Brunch! I’d probably either go to Iron Rooster, Miss Shirley’s, or Jimmy’s Famous Seafood. They all offer something different but all of it is A+.

2. Friend you would meet up with first:

This is a hard one, I have a lot of friends that live out of town or in another country. I’d probably try and get together with my local squad for a Happy Hour. We’ve been doing some over Zoom but it’s just not the same! I have friends I do regular lunches with too that I miss. Honestly it’s hard to pick just one friend!

3. Place you would go:

THE BEACH. I’ll hop in my car and make that 3 hour drive. I had plans to go to the beach this summer and obviously they’ve been cancelled. I miss the sun, sand, and drinks.

4. Shop you would go to:

Target. Sure, I can still go there with my mask but there’s no need to do and that just adds to an already crappy situation.

5. Food item you would buy/eat:

There really isn’t too much I haven’t been able to eat during all this. If I had to pick something though it would be wings. I’ve been craving wings and it’s just not the same eating them at home instead of at the bar.

6. Cake you would eat:

I’d go to St. Louis and get an Ooey Gooey butter cake. It’s amazing and if you’ve never tried it you’re really missing out.

7. Show you would/will go to see:

I don’t really go to any shows or theater but I’d probably just go see anything that was playing at the movies. I’m sure I could find something even if it meant going to one of the theaters that shows classic films around here.

8. Concert you will go to watch:

I have tickets to see The Foo Fighters in July. I doubt that’s going to happen so I’d try and find a way to see them or The Struts.

9. Relative you will hug first:

My nephews! They’re 9 and 5. I just miss hanging out with them and goofing around.

10. Holiday you would go on:

I’d probably just wait until next year! I have a wedding in the UK to attend in April. I’d probably just make that my trip unless I can find a really good deal before then. I might do a small day trip or something but we’ll see. I have friends in Chicago and Rochester I could easily go visit.

11. Other activity you would take part in:

I’d go see a sporting event! I miss sports. My favorite part about Summer is sitting outside in the sunshine and watching a baseball game. A nice cold beer and a perfect stadium hot dog. I’d try and get out into nature more too and visit some local parks.

12. Thing you would do at work:

My work life hasn’t changed. I still go into the office every day except there’s only 4-10 of us here (between two floors) instead of 200-250. It’s very quiet and a little odd but I’m use to it now. It’s going to be weird once everyone starts coming back to work. I’m not sure I’m going to like all the noise!

13. Item you would buy:

Hmm, maybe just some new clothes. I don’t like buying clothes online because of fit issues. I’ve tried ordering a dress for the wedding I mentioned before and I’ve had to send them all back. So I’d probably head out for a dress!

If you end up writing your own post, let me know! I’d love to read some more answers.