Remembering 9/11 in my own way

Today I’m preparing the kitchen for my baking extravanza. Gotta clean it so I can mess it up! Ever since the first year anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy I’ve made cookies to take to the local fire station. I began this more as a therapy for me. I never wanted, nor do I want, to forget. I wasn’t sure what I could do but wanted to do something…anything. Then I thought, give what you love to do. Ok, I like to bake and I’m mad about cookies (among other things i.e., cupcakes, LOL)

Since the local fire station are our first responders, or “local heroes” as I call them, I decided to take the cookies to them. I wasn’t sure if they’d accept them, so I called a number out of the phone book. I picked one that I imagined was a “main” headquarters. That’s funny now, because I think that they are their own stand-alone headquarters and when I called this “big” fire house, and was told yes they accept all food (LOL), and then was asked what station I was thinking about. When I told the person, I could hear a disappointed, “oh. I’m sure they’ll appreciate them too”. I don’t even remember what station I called now. But I deduced that the station I was planning on taking the cookies to would be the ones who responded to my house in case of fire, etc. I don’t know why, that just seemed to be logical to me. (smile)

It was so cute – when I arrived with my plate piled high of about 3 different kinds of cookies, the captain came to the door, let me in, and I saw all these grown men coming out of the woodwork, like little boys eyeing up the treats. I tried not to laugh, but I’ll never forget the “thank you’s” and the appreciation in their voices. It made my day. When I told my husband about it, he said “I want you to do this every year”. So began my annual cookie event. I will admit, there have been a couple of years when I’ve made a cake or pie, and one year I bought a bunch of different candy bars and made wrappers for them expressing out gratitude. Just my little way of remembering and at the same time thanking them for being our “local heroes”. I’ve never introduced myself, or told them anything about me. Not that I can be anonymous because I’m showing up in person, (LOL), but if I could, I would because it’s not about me, it’s about them. I do, however, print out a card that I’ve made on the computer, with our names and addresses just so they know we’re legit and not trying to poison them or anything! (I know, I know, I think of the weirdest things!). to express our gratitude for their service. I would love to be able to pass out cookies to all the local “first responders” and who knows, maybe one day I will. I thought about mentioning it to my Sunday School Class this past week, but that’s not giving anybody enough time, but next year I think I will. I’d love to see this enlarge and more of the folks who put their lives on the line for us to know that we care and we appreciate them and what they do. I consider this a labor of love and who knows, others might too. What are your thoughts? Can you come up with other ways to show you care? I’d love to hear them!