Guest guest Posted September 12, 2001 Report Share Posted September 12, 2001 Thank you, Sara, for having the courage to share what you did with us. Your post has brought tears to me! You and Aref are in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Marcia Mom to Sara (DS) and 6 and Lucas 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2001 Report Share Posted September 12, 2001 Sara, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Aref! Judy Tug of War > > First, I must warn you all. This is off topic. This post has nothing to do > with Down syndrome or multiples. > > Yesterday morning, Aref was watching the Today Show (filmed in NYC) while I > was preparing to go to class. As I grabbed my keys I heard Aref say " Oh my > G-d! " in a panic I have never heard from him before. I walked to the TV to > see a huge hole in the first WTC Tower. The reporter said there had been an > explosion and reports that a plane had hit the building. I laughed. I admit > it. A plane hitting the WTC on a sunny clear day? Impossible. Now, I wish I > could rewind to that feeling. I wish our entire country could know once > again what it feels like to " know " that " it can never happen here. " As we > watched, live on TV, before our eyes a second plane fly itself in an angry > rage into the second building, Aref and I gasped... Aref yelled out " No! > Someone stop this! " " It's terrorism! " I told Aref. See, I have never seen > anything like this before, but I have felt this same thing before. My life > in Israel was filled with this same feelings. There is something an Israeli > feels and does not see, when a bomb explodes in front of our faces. It is > the feeling of rage, the feeling of a last breath, a silent scream, and the > sick belief that " Allah " wanted this. This is what the feeling means to me > and Aref, who lived through 15 years of civil war in Lebanon and continued > hatred today. This is the feeling that has taken up America and swallowed > it whole. How dare it come here! It is eating American innocence like a > sweet candy. > > In my opinion, this is the monster that should have stayed in Israel. > Israel is at the soul of me and always has been. I care for Israel as a > country like I care for my own life. It is my identy at this stage in my > life. It stands for the great struggle that a people, broken apart by > hatred in the Holocaust, had when united. My people. But what happened > yesterday is not for America. > > As the day unfolded, Aref and I sat at our cell phones calling over and > over again, my sister who's office is just a block or two away in NYC. The > network was always busy. My sister, Julee, finally called us at about 8pm > EST. She was physically OK, although her boyfriend works in the WTC that > was hit second. We awaited his call into the night and onto today. My > sister walked over 60 blocks back to her apartment in black smoke, watching > New Yorkers trip in an uncontrolable panic over their own feet in the > middle of the street. How dare this happen here! > > When the facts came in and still to this moment I remain so angry over this > all. I imagine how better I would feel if I could hate all Arabs for doing > this. I would feel better to have someone to blame. I would feel better if > President Bush would order all the Palestinians, who celebrated our losses, > into the sea. Without a doubt I convinced myself that it was " them " and our > country seems to share my opinion and my hate. But, I have learned to stop > those feelings dead in their track. This type of hatred is what started > this mess and what keeps it alive today. > > Because Aref is from an Arab country, my fear for his safety has engulfed > me. He is going to face the unthinkable from this country now and our > relationship is at a tug or war. I wonder if any relationship can survive > this. People continue to ask Aref " who do you think did this? " in an > extreme interest to find guilt within him. They want to link him to the > thoughts of those insane terrorists, because they, not much unlike myself, > want to have someone to blame. To your average American, there probably is > nothing they can distinguish between a member of Bin Ladan's sick mind, > Hamas, Islam, Durze, Taliban, and Palestinians. They are all grouped > together as Arabs. That is unfair. Understand, please, that if an Arab > terrorist has done this to our country, it was not " the Arabs, " but it was > some insane, misguided group. We shouldn't jump to hate everyone who speaks > Arabic, simply because the twisted men who planned and attacked yesterday > also speak Arabic. Not all Arabs are the same! > > While the attacks are hopefully over in the United States... I have a > feeling the horror has just begun for me and Aref and every other Arab > living in this country. Chose your cause. Carefully. The Middle East has > not chosen carefully. They hated their enemies and feared everyone who > could be linked, by language or religion, to them. And look where it has > taken our world? It has taken our world 7,000 miles across the ocean in > anger and distruction. > > I apoligize for the length of this post. I wish everyone well and a fast > recovery. I pray that our government will have the strength and insight to > handle this properly. > > Love, > Sara > > > > > http://DSyndrome.com/Multiples > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2001 Report Share Posted September 12, 2001 Love each other Sara....it is what you can do today. My thoughts are with all of you and our country. Tug of War > > First, I must warn you all. This is off topic. This post has nothing to do > with Down syndrome or multiples. > > Yesterday morning, Aref was watching the Today Show (filmed in NYC) while I > was preparing to go to class. As I grabbed my keys I heard Aref say " Oh my > G-d! " in a panic I have never heard from him before. I walked to the TV to > see a huge hole in the first WTC Tower. The reporter said there had been an > explosion and reports that a plane had hit the building. I laughed. I admit > it. A plane hitting the WTC on a sunny clear day? Impossible. Now, I wish I > could rewind to that feeling. I wish our entire country could know once > again what it feels like to " know " that " it can never happen here. " As we > watched, live on TV, before our eyes a second plane fly itself in an angry > rage into the second building, Aref and I gasped... Aref yelled out " No! > Someone stop this! " " It's terrorism! " I told Aref. See, I have never seen > anything like this before, but I have felt this same thing before. My life > in Israel was filled with this same feelings. There is something an Israeli > feels and does not see, when a bomb explodes in front of our faces. It is > the feeling of rage, the feeling of a last breath, a silent scream, and the > sick belief that " Allah " wanted this. This is what the feeling means to me > and Aref, who lived through 15 years of civil war in Lebanon and continued > hatred today. This is the feeling that has taken up America and swallowed > it whole. How dare it come here! It is eating American innocence like a > sweet candy. > > In my opinion, this is the monster that should have stayed in Israel. > Israel is at the soul of me and always has been. I care for Israel as a > country like I care for my own life. It is my identy at this stage in my > life. It stands for the great struggle that a people, broken apart by > hatred in the Holocaust, had when united. My people. But what happened > yesterday is not for America. > > As the day unfolded, Aref and I sat at our cell phones calling over and > over again, my sister who's office is just a block or two away in NYC. The > network was always busy. My sister, Julee, finally called us at about 8pm > EST. She was physically OK, although her boyfriend works in the WTC that > was hit second. We awaited his call into the night and onto today. My > sister walked over 60 blocks back to her apartment in black smoke, watching > New Yorkers trip in an uncontrolable panic over their own feet in the > middle of the street. How dare this happen here! > > When the facts came in and still to this moment I remain so angry over this > all. I imagine how better I would feel if I could hate all Arabs for doing > this. I would feel better to have someone to blame. I would feel better if > President Bush would order all the Palestinians, who celebrated our losses, > into the sea. Without a doubt I convinced myself that it was " them " and our > country seems to share my opinion and my hate. But, I have learned to stop > those feelings dead in their track. This type of hatred is what started > this mess and what keeps it alive today. > > Because Aref is from an Arab country, my fear for his safety has engulfed > me. He is going to face the unthinkable from this country now and our > relationship is at a tug or war. I wonder if any relationship can survive > this. People continue to ask Aref " who do you think did this? " in an > extreme interest to find guilt within him. They want to link him to the > thoughts of those insane terrorists, because they, not much unlike myself, > want to have someone to blame. To your average American, there probably is > nothing they can distinguish between a member of Bin Ladan's sick mind, > Hamas, Islam, Durze, Taliban, and Palestinians. They are all grouped > together as Arabs. That is unfair. Understand, please, that if an Arab > terrorist has done this to our country, it was not " the Arabs, " but it was > some insane, misguided group. We shouldn't jump to hate everyone who speaks > Arabic, simply because the twisted men who planned and attacked yesterday > also speak Arabic. Not all Arabs are the same! > > While the attacks are hopefully over in the United States... I have a > feeling the horror has just begun for me and Aref and every other Arab > living in this country. Chose your cause. Carefully. The Middle East has > not chosen carefully. They hated their enemies and feared everyone who > could be linked, by language or religion, to them. And look where it has > taken our world? It has taken our world 7,000 miles across the ocean in > anger and distruction. > > I apoligize for the length of this post. I wish everyone well and a fast > recovery. I pray that our government will have the strength and insight to > handle this properly. > > Love, > Sara > > > > > http://DSyndrome.com/Multiples > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2001 Report Share Posted September 12, 2001 "First, I must warn you all. This is off topic. This post has nothing to do with Down syndrome or multiples." Our Dear Sara, It does have something to do with us, all of us! I think we as a list have grown to be more than a support group for multiples and Ds. We have grown into a family. Families share many thoughts and feelings. Anyway, you have been here for us sooo many times and I just am glad you shared that with us and we can offer our support to you. I know that you are in a somewhat touchy situation but I think that you and Aref are meant for each other and your love will withstand. Just try and keep your line of communication open and try not to shut each other out. Sometimes that is so hard to do when we get preoccupied with our own thoughts and feelings. As for the prejudices and uncomfortable situations that may or may not come your way, just keep your heads high and stand by what you believe in. I do believe that you will be handle any comments or prejudices that may come your way because you have had plenty of practice defending our kids, which I am eternally grateful for. As for me, I want justice done but I hope it can be done in a way not to harm innocent people, especially children. I have no harsh feelings for the Arab people. Majority of them are here just to escape the violence in their own country. Hopefully others will feel that way too. Anyway, Just wanted to offer my love and support to you both. mom to Landon (Ds) and Asthon 3 years.... One more thing, Sara, did yall hear from your sister's boyfriend? I am praying that yall have by now. Sara Greenberg <List@...> wrote: > > First, I must warn you all. This is off topic. This > post has nothing to do > with Down syndrome or multiples. > > Yesterday morning, Aref was watching the Today Show > (filmed in NYC) while I > was preparing to go to class. As I grabbed my keys I > heard Aref say "Oh my > G-d!" in a panic I have never heard from him before. > I walked to the TV to > see a huge hole in the first WTC Tower. The reporter > said there had been an > explosion and reports that a plane had hit the > building. I laughed. I admit > it. A plane hitting the WTC on a sunny clear day? > Impossible. Now, I wish I > could rewind to that feeling. I wish our entire > country could know once > again what it feels like to "know" that "it can > never happen here." As we > watched, live on TV, before our eyes a second plane > fly itself in an angry > rage into the second building, Aref and I gasped... > Aref yelled out "No! > Someone stop this!" "It's terrorism!" I told Aref. > See, I have never seen > anything like this before, but I have felt this same > thing before. My life > in Israel was filled with this same feelings. There > is something an Israeli > feels and does not see, when a bomb explodes in > front of our faces. It is > the feeling of rage, the feeling of a last breath, a > silent scream, and the > sick belief that "Allah" wanted this. This is what > the feeling means to me > and Aref, who lived through 15 years of civil war in > Lebanon and continued > hatred today. This is the feeling that has taken up > America and swallowed > it whole. How dare it come here! It is eating > American innocence like a > sweet candy. > > In my opinion, this is the monster that should have > stayed in Israel. > Israel is at the soul of me and always has been. I > care for Israel as a > country like I care for my own life. It is my identy > at this stage in my > life. It stands for the great struggle that a > people, broken apart by > hatred in the Holocaust, had when united. My people. > But what happened > yesterday is not for America. > > As the day unfolded, Aref and I sat at our cell > phones calling over and > over again, my sister who's office is just a block > or two away in NYC. The > network was always busy. My sister, Julee, finally > called us at about 8pm > EST. She was physically OK, although her boyfriend > works in the WTC that > was hit second. We awaited his call into the night > and onto today. My > sister walked over 60 blocks back to her apartment > in black smoke, watching > New Yorkers trip in an uncontrolable panic over > their own feet in the > middle of the street. How dare this happen here! > > When the facts came in and still to this moment I > remain so angry over this > all. I imagine how better I would feel if I could > hate all Arabs for doing > this. I would feel better to have someone to blame. > I would feel better if > President Bush would order all the Palestinians, who > celebrated our losses, > into the sea. Without a doubt I convinced myself > that it was "them" and our > country seems to share my opinion and my hate. But, > I have learned to stop > those feelings dead in their track. This type of > hatred is what started > this mess and what keeps it alive today. > > Because Aref is from an Arab country, my fear for > his safety has engulfed > me. He is going to face the unthinkable from this > country now and our > relationship is at a tug or war. I wonder if any > relationship can survive > this. People continue to ask Aref "who do you think > did this?" in an > extreme interest to find guilt within him. They want > to link him to the > thoughts of those insane terrorists, because they, > not much unlike myself, > want to have someone to blame. To your average > American, there probably is > nothing they can distinguish between a member of Bin > Ladan's sick mind, > Hamas, Islam, Durze, Taliban, and Palestinians. They > are all grouped > together as Arabs. That is unfair. Understand, > please, that if an Arab > terrorist has done this to our country, it was not > "the Arabs," but it was > some insane, misguided group. We shouldn't jump to > hate everyone who speaks > Arabic, simply because the twisted men who planned > and attacked yesterday > also speak Arabic. Not all Arabs are the same! > > While the attacks are hopefully over in the United > States... I have a > feeling the horror has just begun for me and Aref > and every other Arab > living in this country. Chose your cause. > Carefully. The Middle East has > not chosen carefully. They hated their enemies and > feared everyone who > could be linked, by language or religion, to them. > And look where it has > taken our world? It has taken our world 7,000 miles > across the ocean in > anger and distruction. > > I apoligize for the length of this post. I wish > everyone well and a fast > recovery. I pray that our government will have the > strength and insight to > handle this properly. > > Love, > Sara > > > __________________________________________________ Terrorist Attacks on U.S. - How can you help? Donate cash, emergency relief information http://dailynews./fc/US/Emergency_Information/ Stamp powered by www.mailround.com Click here to join YOPTIN and WIN COOL PRIZES Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2001 Report Share Posted September 12, 2001 Sara, My heart pours out to you and Aref. I will be praying for you and your families. I cannot even imagine the feelings the two of you have. It must be terrible! Don't let this drive a wedge between you-let it bring you closer together. I really have no words to make any of this better or even explain my feeling about all of this. Just know I'll be thinking and praying for you. With love, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2001 Report Share Posted September 12, 2001 Sara,As you know, most of the time I only lurk but I felt the need to reply to you. My heart also pours out to you and Aref and all Americans. Whether we actually know of someone involved in this or not, this has devastated us all and I, who am a native American, must say that all true Americans know and feel in their hearts that this Nation is what it is because of all of the Nationalities that have earned the right to be called Americans. I honestly feel that the people asking Aref questions are just looking for answers and hoping because this is his identity that maybe he can help with answers. Kinda the same way someone might ask us questions about DS because we have a child with it and they are also looking for answers. Sometimes we just don't think about how devastating it might be to someone who is originally from another Country, the same way we might not think that some parents of children with DS might feel guilt because they made this child. We in this group know that our children are all special angels that God is/has allowed us to care for and love but an outsider would not understand this. I hope I am making sense. Please, just hold each other and let this strengthen what you have. By starting this group you have brought together numerous families who all have special angels in their lives and I feel in my heart that you and Aref are true Americans. As I have said many times to many people of different ethnicities/nationalities, we all bleed the same and it is what we have in our heart that matters. My thoughts and prayers are with all in this group. A little note: as most of you know my daughter Debbie's husband is in the Air Force and they are stationed in Montana. Her husband is away at school for 5 weeks so she is alone with the 5 kids but everything seems to be going well. Of course living on a Military base, things are really tense because of course security is extremely tight but she and the kids are coping as we all are. Thanks to all for letting me ramble. Janice, Grandma to -8, -6 1/2, -5 and and (DS)-2. Tug of WarFirst, I must warn you all. This is off topic. This post has nothing to dowith Down syndrome or multiples.Yesterday morning, Aref was watching the Today Show (filmed in NYC) while Iwas preparing to go to class. As I grabbed my keys I heard Aref say " Oh myG-d! " in a panic I have never heard from him before. I walked to the TV tosee a huge hole in the first WTC Tower. The reporter said there had been anexplosion and reports that a plane had hit the building. I laughed. I admitit. A plane hitting the WTC on a sunny clear day? Impossible. Now, I wish Icould rewind to that feeling. I wish our entire country could know onceagain what it feels like to " know " that " it can never happen here. " As wewatched, live on TV, before our eyes a second plane fly itself in an angryrage into the second building, Aref and I gasped... Aref yelled out " No!Someone stop this! " " It's terrorism! " I told Aref. See, I have never seenanything like this before, but I have felt this same thing before. My lifein Israel was filled with this same feelings. There is something an Israelifeels and does not see, when a bomb explodes in front of our faces. It isthe feeling of rage, the feeling of a last breath, a silent scream, and thesick belief that " Allah " wanted this. This is what the feeling means to meand Aref, who lived through 15 years of civil war in Lebanon and continuedhatred today. This is the feeling that has taken up America and swallowedit whole. How dare it come here! It is eating American innocence like asweet candy. In my opinion, this is the monster that should have stayed in Israel.Israel is at the soul of me and always has been. I care for Israel as acountry like I care for my own life. It is my identy at this stage in mylife. It stands for the great struggle that a people, broken apart byhatred in the Holocaust, had when united. My people. But what happenedyesterday is not for America. As the day unfolded, Aref and I sat at our cell phones calling over andover again, my sister who's office is just a block or two away in NYC. Thenetwork was always busy. My sister, Julee, finally called us at about 8pmEST. She was physically OK, although her boyfriend works in the WTC thatwas hit second. We awaited his call into the night and onto today. Mysister walked over 60 blocks back to her apartment in black smoke, watchingNew Yorkers trip in an uncontrolable panic over their own feet in themiddle of the street. How dare this happen here! When the facts came in and still to this moment I remain so angry over thisall. I imagine how better I would feel if I could hate all Arabs for doingthis. I would feel better to have someone to blame. I would feel better ifPresident Bush would order all the Palestinians, who celebrated our losses,into the sea. Without a doubt I convinced myself that it was " them " and ourcountry seems to share my opinion and my hate. But, I have learned to stopthose feelings dead in their track. This type of hatred is what startedthis mess and what keeps it alive today.Because Aref is from an Arab country, my fear for his safety has engulfedme. He is going to face the unthinkable from this country now and ourrelationship is at a tug or war. I wonder if any relationship can survivethis. People continue to ask Aref " who do you think did this? " in anextreme interest to find guilt within him. They want to link him to thethoughts of those insane terrorists, because they, not much unlike myself,want to have someone to blame. To your average American, there probably isnothing they can distinguish between a member of Bin Ladan's sick mind,Hamas, Islam, Durze, Taliban, and Palestinians. They are all groupedtogether as Arabs. That is unfair. Understand, please, that if an Arabterrorist has done this to our country, it was not " the Arabs, " but it wassome insane, misguided group. We shouldn't jump to hate everyone who speaksArabic, simply because the twisted men who planned and attacked yesterdayalso speak Arabic. Not all Arabs are the same! While the attacks are hopefully over in the United States... I have afeeling the horror has just begun for me and Aref and every other Arabliving in this country. Chose your cause. Carefully. The Middle East hasnot chosen carefully. They hated their enemies and feared everyone whocould be linked, by language or religion, to them. And look where it hastaken our world? It has taken our world 7,000 miles across the ocean inanger and distruction. I apoligize for the length of this post. I wish everyone well and a fastrecovery. I pray that our government will have the strength and insight tohandle this properly.Love,ttp://DSyndrome.com/Multiples Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2001 Report Share Posted September 13, 2001 Hi everyone, I still remain horrified at the scenes of destruction that has been broadcast over CNN to New Zealand. All of us down here are in total shock and our children are so frightened of the implications from this terrorist action. Our kids are studying hard the newspaper clippings and the ongoing reports of the devastation and are petrified that this is indeed the start of something huge that we as parents hoped would never happen in our childrens lifetime. Even in New Zealand, the impact is tremendous. Our local news last night showed that our Arab and Afghanistan residents are being abused and harrassed either in the streets or by people leaving obscene answerphone messages to Arab related business or families. This I find totally outragious and ridiculous. The actions of one group of insane terrorists does not mean that every person that is of that nationality is to blame! New Zealanders were in amongst the chaos on Tuesday, one of our citizens on the plane that slammed into WTC. 3 New Zealanders in the Twin Tower buildings and there are 50 or so Australians missing. I pray for their souls and everyone lost that day. Sara - those words of Nastradamus are still resounding around in my head - I have read them many times in the past and now it is so clear. I dropped my children at school this morning and cried as they turned to wave goodbye. Who knows what today may bring. I pray that this situation is resolved quietly and calmly with no more innocent victims. It seems the world has finally come together to erradicate terrorism but it took a disaster of tremendous proportions to facilitate such unity. PEACE CarolynMum to on, , Emma (Ds) and Nicki (Ds)www.geocities.com/nz_mom/sykesfamily.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2001 Report Share Posted September 13, 2001 > I pray that this situation is resolved quietly and calmly with no more > innocent victims. It seems the world has finally come together to > erradicate terrorism but it took a disaster of tremendous proportions to > facilitate such unity. AMEN! Shalom, Salaam, Peace, Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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