Healing and Sports

It has been an emotional weekend paying tribute to those who died on September 11th.  It seems that the nation has taken a respite from the bickering and remembered ordinary people doing extraordinary things.  The images are powerful, the words strong, and the emotions real.

I don't believe anything happens by chance.  Therefore, it's not a surprise that the professional football season opened on the 10th anniversary.  For me, the return of sports that fall was the first sign of normalcy after a week of shock.  The athletes, especially in New York, had to deal with their own emotions and concern for their safety and help the nation begin the healing process.  Yankee and Mets players visited the armories, packed care packages, and made themselves available.  It was a time where we all rooted for any New York team.  The Yankees came close to winning the World Series.  Their fields were pastures of patriotism and gave all of us a venue to cheer the first responders showcased at many games.  Most important, it provided the perfect backdrop for the flag which we all flew with pride.

This weekend, seeing President Bush reminds me of his taking the field in New York at game 3 of the World Series and throwing a strike from the pitching rubber.  His confidence was shared by all who watched on that day.  There are so many stories from the sports world that fall.  Those memories have come back this weekend.

It's not often that you can make a difference to a nation.  Sports did.  It's a reminder to all of us that we can make a difference in our own worlds.  Leaders make their reputations during crisis.  We don't have time to think-but we do what we've been trained to do.  That's why training is key and "perfect practice makes perfect."  Vice President Biden said in his remarks at Shanksville on Saturday that all of us have courage that one day will be summoned.  Are you ready for your day?