Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Bestie (05/22/14)
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TITLE: No Greater Love | Previous Challenge Entry
By Barbara Mahler
05/25/14 -
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As I drove in the stop and go traffic that evening, roads that I had driven many times took on a different – almost frightening characteristic. The outer lanes on the highways were closed to regular traffic – emergency vehicles lined the roadways. A week after the horrific events of September 11, 2001 the car ride which would usually take just under an hour took more than three. Nevertheless his youngest sister and I anxiously anticipated seeing and hugging our World Trade Center Survivor.
During our brief conversations a few days after 9/11 Marc prepared us for his visible injuries – a leg cast and others. Rather matter-of-factly, he told us of the surgeries that were still to come, but he had not been able to come to grips with the loss he had experienced – the loss of his best friend.
Shortly after Marc began work, a few years before 9/11, on the 78th floor of the South Tower he volunteered in a safety program under the auspices of the Port Authority. It was here that he and Jim met. They became partners in the training programs, and often met for lunch to discuss the various segments. Over the years, the friendship grew – each inviting the other to family events and celebrations.
On that fateful morning just before 9 A.M., the two friends began their climb up to the 84th floor directing and assisting others as they had been trained to do.
“We had guided dozens of frightened workers down thousands and thousands of steps,” Marc said. “But then we decided to separate in order to more quickly reach other workers.”
Suddenly Marc stopped talking and we sat quietly - aware of his need to restore his strength. When his tearful voice broke the silence he said, “Mom, the last time I saw Jim was just before we separated, but I remember being knocked down and Jim waking me up.”
It was during the next few moments with the room shrouded in grief – when there were no words that would bring comfort that I realized that even though he had died, Jim had saved Marc’s life.
Jesus’ words in John’s Gospel have taken on even greater meaningfulness in my life because of Jim.
Jesus said to his disciples:
“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.(Jn 15:12-13) NABRE
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I used to work on the 85th floor there in my twenties.
You've handled a somber incident with excellent writing, and a beautiful message at the end.
God bless~