Three Crowns

The Newsletter for The Parish of the Epiphany, Winchester, MA

September 12, 2006

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What is Your Life Worth?

Five years ago today, thousands of people died in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and on the Pentagon. For America, it was a tragedy of monumental proportion. It was also a time when the best in us was seen through the policemen, firefighters, soldiers, paramedics, doctors, nurses, and ordinary people who rose up in the midst of terrible circumstances, risking their lives, and sometimes loosing their lives trying to help others.

Of all the images that remain of that fateful day, the one that breaks my heart is watching the firefighters run into World Trade Center, before it collapsed in an effort to get others to safety. This struck close to home for me, as my father was a firefighter. Growing up, I remember watching him fight fires; I would ride my bike to the fire whenever I could. I was proud to see him in action; I watched him go into burning buildings; I saw him save the lives of others while risking his own.

There was one fire where everyone was afraid that he and his men were trapped. I still remember the solemn whispers among the other firefighters, hushed so I wouldn’t hear. Eventually, he and his crew escaped.

Afterwards, I remember asking him, “What is your life worth Dad that you would take that risk?” I didn’t want to see a building collapse on him like the World Trade Center fell on those other brave men and women.

I never forgot his answer to me when he said, “My life is worth only what I can do to help. It is a gift to be alive and it is a greater gift to help others stay alive.” He wasn’t especially eloquent but I knew what he meant. We are here to take care of each other with whatever gifts we have.