stolen from my latest facebook status

...because I'm too lazy to retype it:

"A tiring few weeks...out of house for a new roof; early morning frantic call from landlord about debris raining down on my car in the garage; out of house longer for the repair of the hole in bedroom ceiling caused by roofers; rip pinky nail off halfway down and halfway across [effing *ouch*]; shred skin off fingertips whilst scrubbing carpet [don't ask]; discover gardeners have broken two more sprinkler heads; car won't start, get it back from service three days later and snarlgrowl it won't start even worse [don't judge the grammar, it's poetic license]; and the worst crime of all: I spilled a beer. I tell you, it's the little things that wear you down. >.<"

343

Will is in New York today. He and a few others in the fire department flew out to be there when the Bay2Brooklyn team came into the city...two guys from the Santa Clara Fire Department who started a cross-country bike ride on August 2nd, in honor and memory of the 343 firefighters who lost their lives ten years ago today. This morning they are gathered with firefighters from all over the globe at the Firemen's Memorial in Riverside Park, a sea of uniforms, hats, badges, honoring fallen comrades and celebrating those who continue the work.

I can't imagine what it must be like to be there today. The emotion, the camaraderie, the brotherhood. Mourning what was lost, celebrating the courage, honoring those who continue to give. Realizing you are a part of something much, much bigger than you realized. Humbling and inspiring, and not just a little overwhelming.

Here's to the past and what it makes of us.

Here's to the future and what we make of it.