I will work from home with feelings of deep gratitude towards anyone and everyone out there on the front lines working to keep us safe. I will work on staying optimistic, while keeping those who have suffered great loss in my heart and prayers. I will work on practicing patience, knowing how fortunate I am to have a safe place to weather the storm. I will work on trusting the universe, and myself – knowing that this isn’t the first time my life feels like it’s been turned on its side, and it won’t be the last.

For today, on this Day of Mourning, I will hold close to my heart those who have not returned home from work. I will pray for those who have been left waiting for the hug that will never happen.

For today, I will leave a candle burning in the window throughout the day and the night in honor of those who aren’t coming home, and to light the way for those who are.

Today is a day to remember.  A day to give pause in recognition of so many who lost their lives at work.  Those who died making a living. For me, it also signifies, and calls to mind, all of the details of the day that my life as I knew it changed.  I was one of the lucky ones who survived what countless others did not - I didn’t return home at the end of the work day, but I did eventually go home.