10 years ago

Ten years ago today, my industry changed in a way nobody expected it to.

I will never forget the thoughts that went through my head when I realized what was going on with my coworkers -- especially those first moments when I finally saw the visual of those buildings on fire.

I was flying out of Los Angeles to Denver that day, and the confusion and the panic we saw and felt while we waited for answers that never came - I would never wish that upon anyone.

In the aviation industry, even if you don't work for the same airline we are all family.
When you hear about something that's gone wrong, it hits so, so close to home.
Knowing that someone I actually may know were on those planes, just crushed me.

As long as I live I hope we never have to go through what we experiences that day.

My thoughts are with everyone who was affected by that horrible day.

Hanamizuki - Dogwood

It's been 10 years since my industry changed.
This song was written by a singer in Japan after the 9-11 terrorist attack as an anthem for the survivors and family of the victims of the tragedy, and her wish and hope for world peace.


Lyrics from "Hanamizuki" (Dogwood) by Hitoto Yo


　空を押し上げて
　手を伸ばす君　五月のこと
　どうか来てほしい
　水際まで来てほしい
　つぼみをあげよう
　庭のハナミズキ

　薄紅色の可愛い君のね
　果てない夢がちゃんと
　終わりますように
　君と好きな人が
　百年続きますように

　夏は暑過ぎて
　僕から気持ちは重すぎて
　一緒にわたるには
　きっと船が沈んじゃう
　どうぞゆきなさい
　お先にゆきなさい

　僕の我慢がいつか実を結び
　果てない波がちゃんと
　止まりますように
　君とすきな人が
　百年続きますように



　ひらり蝶々を
　追いかけて白い帆を揚げて
　母の日になれば
　ミズキの葉、贈って下さい
　待たなくてもいいよ
　知らなくてもいいよ

　薄紅色の可愛い君のね
　果てない夢がちゃんと
　終わりますように
　君と好きな人が
　百年続きますように

　僕の我慢がいつか実を結び
　果てない波がちゃんと
　止まりますように
　君と好きな人が
　百年続きますように

　君と好きな人が
　百年続きますように

you hold your hands out
boosting up the sky, in may
I want you to come,
to the water's edge.
I'll give you a bud
the dogwood tree in the garden

my adorable soft pink one,
I hope your endless dream comes to an end
I hope you and the one you love have one hundred years together.

summer is too hot
my feelings are too heavy
to cross together
they'll no doubt bring down the boat
please go on,
go on ahead of me.

my patience will one day pay off
I hope the endless waves will calm
I hope you and the one you love have one hundred years together

chase after the fluttering butterflies
raise the white sails
on Mother's Day
send a leaf of dogwood.
you need not wait,
nor know

my adorable soft pink one,
I hope your endless dream comes to an end
I hope you and the one you love have one hundred years together.

my patience will one day pay off
I hope the endless waves will calm
I hope you and the one you love have one hundred years together

(Translated By: Brian Stewart & Takako Sakuma)


Below, video of legendary Japanese singer Hideaki Tokunaga in concert singing this song - tear inducing, powerful, even if you can not understand the language. The melody is beautiful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9bxyOGTsrI

Like Yesterday...

The dark, warm morning air gave me no warning

Of the devastating events that was happening

Far far away


Like yesterday, I remember every scene of that day

How it changed my career, my life, my thinking


Like yesterday, I can still hear the noise of the boulevard

the sound and the voices of the people

the TV

the radio

As we stood there

Staring

At what we hoped was a bad, bad dream


Like yesterday

I remember

And I will never forget