Rosalie Gattuso, click
here to update your pages on AuthorsDen!
Eternally Embraced by Rosalie Gattuso
Friday, August 4, 2006
Not rated by the Author.
Everyone has been affected by the
the events of 911.Some for the good some for the more evil. I can only speak for myself, tell you the facts of what I have been feeling ever since.........
It was a clear bright sunny day on September.11th,2001 to be exact.. I arrived at work in the Dental office at 9Am but was told that I came an hour too early..to return at 10. I was about to go when in the waiting room on Channel 7 News there was smoke coming out of the World Trade Building..I thought it was a movie scene or a fire at first.I left and then when I returned I saw the Plane go into the tower all the smoke as the buildings collapsed one by one with what was said to be victims jumping out of the windows to escape..... I will never get over the pain that pierced like a dagger in my heart seeing the faces of my patients who are primarily Police officers and Firefighters. All I wanted to do was hold them and take away all their pain. It was a very difficult day. I went home that night distinctively devastated. I felt so helpless. I thought to myself I need to do something!! I am financially incompetent...I am not certified or qualified to go to the grounds and help. All I could do was sit here at my computer. Feeling numb with tears of sorrow rolling down my face...I then went on to use my gift .. my heart and began writeing poems to comfort the World . I went on poetry.com and found a category set up for 911.I began writing all my feelings and posting them on the website.I would sit all nite till dawn ..filled with grief for the families. I wondered why did this happen? There were feelings of guilt about being alive. I had faceless victims and unimaginable thoughts of how they must have felt going through a senseless departure of life. Even when I went to the supermarket I would get flashes of fire and overwhelmed by visions of the planes hitting the towers causeing me to burst uncontrollably into tears. Feeling all the anxieties and heart wrenching unimaginable pain in the hearts of the families and friends led me to many long and sleepless nights. Nights of wonder and awe. I would go to work each day feeling a knot in my heart for all of the families. It broke my heart to see the grief stricken faces of the parents who lost their only child...only son..the spouses and children who lost thier husbands and fathers that horrific day.It was devastating to get the phone calls from the spouses and other family members asking for the Dental records that were prepared for the Fire Marshalls to come and pick up to help them identify and put a name to any part of remains that were recovered.Feeling the anxiety and the despiration of all of the families particularly of the Firefighters,EMS workers and Police officers I needed to do something to make a difference. I wrote poems and handed them to my patients and told them that I hoped in some way I could help them through their loss. One of my first poems written was:
FireFighters Legacy
Dedicated to :Raymond Meisenheimer., Peter Brennan, William McGovern, Lt John Crisci ... FDNY
I sat here every night after work till dawn devastated wanting to do my part in the recovery. I went on classmates and posted some of my poems on the 911 Site. I got to meet a lot of great friends..a firefighters wife and many others in different fields. We all had a common cause that united us. I got a welcome,then labeled as the Angel of the Web site because my words helped bring comfort. I then was informed about the web Site Legacy.com where I was able to put faces to all of the lost souls and it helped me to be able to connect more spiritually. I received email from all over the world thanking me for my words of comfort and sending their condolences to America for the tragedy. I joined No.Babylon Fire Co in 2002 and became an EMT. I then had new connections to the lost because my Station Lost Andre Fletcher, another Brother firefighter lost his Brother... William Johnston..Ladder Co.6 I was one of the tens of thousands of Firefighters during the first anniversary who participated in the procession in the pouring rain to Madison Square Garden . I was chosen as a flag bearer and was told when I got there at 6AM {when asked for an IAFF number}that I would not get a flag (by the IAFF Coordinator in charge of flag Bearers} because they had to take care of their own first..it was their brothers that were lost..I just looked in disbelief, nodded my head and said your brothers?? They were my BROTHERS TOO! I then went on to join my fellow firefighters as we processed to Madison Square Garden. I stood in the middle of the road solo in front of Madison Square Garden where on the projection screen I watched the faces, listened for each name and shed a tear for every single Hero that was lost. The IAFF to this day has not offered an apology for their insensitive remark despite the letters sent by myself and the Chief of my Department. I recevied an email from Theresa Jahn who read my poem Valentine Angels on Legacy and at her request I submitted poems for consideration to be sewn on the Fifirefighters Quilt. Then it all began...I was contacted by Jeannie Ammermann the founder and President of the Memorial Quilt Organiztion which was in its embryo stage at the time. Jeannine needed the vehicle listing of the missing rigs and unbeknownst to me at the time was how would I do this task..I spoke to several Firefighters that were from my dental office. I contacted the office of Francis Gribbons the Commissioner. I also sent numerous emails to sources I thought would be of assistance. Metro Tech sent someone to personally deliver the Cards with photos of the rigs and names of the lost angels. He also gave me a poster with all of the faces of the 343 Firefighters lost.I sent it off to Jeannie..but there was more. She needed to have the consent of FDNY to use the logos and each photo had to have a consent form signed from a family member with permission to use on the quilt. The other obstacle was NYPD..they were not giving their consent because it was not understood that the purpose of the Quilts was to forever bring comfort to the Families and Honor to the lost souls. Jeannie recieved the photo cards .In turn NYPD said that if FDNY consented then NYPD would consider. I made a Phone call to relate the message and was questioned by FDNY "are we giving permission"? I said that is what I need to know. Jeannie sent the appropriate forms..we got the consent and now it is Five Years later and the Quilts are completed and will be presented In September... My message is that your heart is a strong force that will touch many ...if you look deep enough it is a very powerful comforting source..What the heart has to offer money can't replace..I know because I was so compelled to share my compassion that will eternally embrace the Angels and their families forever.....
911 Related Poetry
Quilted With Love
FireFighters ,Innocent Victims Lost 9-11-2001
Each Patch Upon This Quilt Wears the Face of an Angel Scents of innocence of those lost Bravery of the lives it cost Every stitch sewn with love Embroided with Strength Decorated with Doves Attached by Unity Kindled with Flames Forever their memory Remains Gifted Souls forever Alive In the Hearts of all who Survive. Never for one moment Will we Forget September 11th TwoThousand and One
Firefighters ,Families who Lost Loved Ones 9-11-2001 Find Peace
Star Dust in Air..Loved ones Lost.. from the world we live in Alive in the Hearts of those left behind... From Dawn to Dawn....in pain to mourn. Physical body was borrowed time..their Presence and Aura remains adourned. Holidays seem to accentuate their Loss God has lifted them from Lifes Cross Look up at the sky when Holidays are here See the twinkling stars..Loved ones appear If you must..Shed a tear..feel not alone Spirits are near..I Weep with compassion,my sorrow I send A Prayer for Broken Hearts to mend Let Holidays be a time for miracles to come, Fill empty Hearts With Peace and Love.. Trim the tree with Lights of Hope, Let Gifts of Friendship be your antidote. Lighted Candles shine upon you..Wisdom,Understanding to Comfort...Renew May your lives be Blessed with inner strength to endure Until....Someday you to will Be In Gods Light With your family forever to Reunite
There is something different here today Missing people taken Away We all gather here today Bow your head as we pray God Bless America! Proud of our Nation Today's date of Devastation Today the pain goes far beyound We share our Tears and tightly Bond Let us focus on the lives Families,friends,children,wives Left behind in sorrow and Pain Each Day without loved ones is a strain Arms extend around the Nation Hands Are joined as verification Love in our Hearts cannot be taken If anyone thinks different,they are sadly mistaking Americans are Stronger than Stone For the world we are the backbone
Open wounds of Americans... Scabs have not begun to form.. Not for many years from now.. Will we ever recover the scourn? Stabbing hearts of parents Who lost daughters... Daughters who lost parents...Lost Multiple friends still not done... Lost were spouses and an only son. Mark the date when pain began September Eleventh Two Thousand One Torn apart deep inside...part of me With those people died...Live in grief Everday...thorns pierce deep..no relief Platforms now built to welcome mourners Who hid and cried on every cornor Ground Zero is a sacred Place Heroes Rest and Angels occupy space.
Last Days of cleanup At Ground Zero.. Primary days to mourn Each scrap of metal,body part found Towers melted to the ground Echo screams..floods of Tears fall FireFighters answered their last call Spirits there will never disappear Only the mess has been cleared Platforms stand as prayers are said Listen to every Eulogy Read Love forever..Memory will never fade Precious Angels of the City Occupy the Space..Lights to Honor Brave Heros lives sacraficed to save Ground Zero now became a Giant grave City of Angels Rest..Sacred to all Firefighters took a major fall..
September Eleventh Remember Those Lost Yellow Ribbons worn for each life it cost Decorated Sacred Grounds Some are Missing Some were Found..Childrens Voices Sing Taps played..Church Bells Ring Symbolized Love A Yellow Rose Gathered together bonding Those Seated here all numb..only my body My Heart not one.I sense the flutters Drowned in Tears. Trauma overcome with fears Crowded deep within my soul.. Spirits Reaching feelings unfold. Heroes children Sadly told Read Off names of Loved Ones Whose lives were stolen..Compassion Tribute to those deeply missed Sealed Memory Sorrowfully Kissed God Bless all the Heroes Listed Families, Friends of the Gifted
September 11th ....Nine Months and Eleven Days after
We watched in terror as our Heros showed Their courage and great Bravery Today prayers for all are said While Angels rest on a Heavenly Bed Memorials posted all the faces Though many left little traces Their merits shine filled in spaces Honor all in sacred places Mark this date as nine one one Listen for the sound as Hearts are lifted up with hope Our Heroes rest underground
Rose Petals and Tears
Red velvet Rose Petals tossed in the Air For every Lost Angel rolls down a Tear Though has passed another Year..Alive in spirit Presence is here..Selfless and Brave That Horrific Day..Sacraficed life to save Forever will play beyond today never forget Firefighters could not turn Away Arrived at the scene despite of the screams Visions of trauma are now everyones Dreams Scraps of metal and debrie ashes to dust Memory..Heros climb the ladder to Heaven Etched in Stone...September..Day Eleven Red Velvet Rose Petals vision unclear Eyes Blurred shed many tears White Doves fly high Above.. Angel wings Spread.. spirits of Love Candles burning..glow so bright Radiates warmth and light through Ground Zero Eulogy sight Sacred forever...Day and Night
Americans forever wear a badge carved in their broken Hearts
Reflections of this Tragic Day Always remember their fate paid Angels lifted from the scene echoed silence Hear the screams Lost many few were found Flights hijacked to spiritual towns World Trade Center melted down and Transformed to sacred tombs underground Flooded eyes,tears shed for all the missing listed dead Innocent Americans went to work that day Swept up in turmoil no choice to stay Terrorists had their own agenda Ended the lives of innocents remembered Pray to God for World Peace.. Acts of war to cease Militery now defends from demonic acts Tragedy extends..Americans live in pain Innocent victims lost in vain Never forgotten Always alive In the Hearts of all who survive
On September Eleventh Two Thousand One A mother lost her only Son Fathers went out to work that day Children left alone to play Buildings that stood Tall... Terrorist made them fall Firefighters men of courage Lost their lives..wives live in sufferance Pain laced in sorrow we all mourn Never to know their babies born Rescue workers at the scene could not save The unforseen... bodies scatterd in debrie Months gone by for recovery No one knew... No time to practice Buried were their apparatus Not a single person will we forget Their losses many with respect Honor to the FDNY.Ladders folded last climb Sirens echo... Engine Bells Ring Heroes Forever... Angels Sing
Angels Lost 911 Swept up like a whirlwind Visions of the storm Different in Form still There lies a ton of bricks on my heart Raining tears over the Ground Zero For You were the Heroes We remain the victims Captives of Devastation Relentless to the cause of your disappearance Love is the Bond Indestructibly strong Bodily essence buried into deeper layers of earth Spirits surround the air as we live in despair Scars remain pierced with pain Still body trembles how could they dare Senseless departure torments unclear Bonded mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers Husband s, wives saddest are the children of Heroes who lost their lives Lost sleep all night to weep Tears for our Heroes
Valentines Tribute to Firefighters and All Lost Souls 9-11-2001
Heavenly Angels..Sky of Blue Cotton Candy Clouds To Move Cupid Arrows Love...Through You White Doves appear..Everywhere.. Breathless Air..Candy Kisses Wrapped in Hugs Filled with Wishes.. Songs of Passion Angelic voices Sing Harps Play the tune..Heavenly strings Wrapped in Satin Silky Lace.. Teddy Bears to embrace..... Candle Light glow.. Lights the Shrine New Flavored Wine... Tableless Dine One Long Stem Rose of Red We Send Symbol of Love..Grows without End Chocolate represents Sweetness..Contentment Shower of Tears.....Wash away resentment Velvet Ladders for the FireFighters Climb Cupid Wings to fly..Sentiments...Scents Hearts full of Love....Cards and Signs Gifts for the Angels...Our Valentine's!
Terrorist World Terrorism will not Survive because the WORLD will NOT Tolerate It!
Their world is full of mass confusion Riots,Raids,Fallacious Delusions Full of anger Carved with Despair Marked with hatred everywhere Heartless vultures Spineless Thieves Deluded by inhumen beliefs Empty minded,vicious entities Lacking traits of Humen Identity Ancient and uncivilized Perpetrators in disguise Terrorists are Blind Darkness is their Light Mass Confusion is their World A Distorted Sight!
Each Response to a Call Difficulty Breathing Bleeding from a Fall I ask God to Bless My hands To assist with patient demands Unbeknown to me till arrival What will I see maintain survivel Will it be a child or a Mother An elderly female or younger brother Auto Accident,emergency Birth Motocylist in the dirt Female child in fright Injury from a Dogs Bite Crushing pain in the Chest Cardiac Arrest..Respiratory Distress Skillfully trained to do my best Pray to God to do the Rest EMS on scene God Bless Us All ALS,EMTs,First Responders on CALL
heard your voice O Lord Answered your Plead Bless me Lord to Rescue All that have called upon this need Pray to you for clairvoyance Speed in what has been learned Let it be your will Dear God To encounter every Burn Every heartbeat every breath All gifts from you If it be your will Dear Lord Help me follow through When hands are tired, when my eyes need rest Power them with your guidence Through your Grace with your Love Keys for all Providers..Help me through Soothe the pain..bring a smiling face before me But most of all Please get me through The calls of all the fallen..
Driven by your power Lord So many tasks to perform Blessed by your hand dear God No duty is too much to endure Day or night here to respond Empowered by your divine Grace Save life a sacred deed Your arms around embrace Should death occur in the line of Duty So be it as my fate No task in life could be more fullfilling Should I be put down to rest Know that I died doing The duty I loved Best Paramedics..Emt's We are the stars of life Be it your will to let us do Our duty all in strife
An outstanding tribute to 911. We were all victims that day. I can still feel my house shaking as the second plane flew over. Every time I leave my house, I pass "Angel's Circle" which was started by the residents of Staten Island in memory of the victims. This was a sad say for all.
