Remembering

Of course I remember what I was doing. I was on campus, coming out of an upper level Human Resource class, my cell phone had three voicemails on it from my then-chain-brother. The whole campus was in panic, people calling home, going home, leaving Knoxville in fear that Oak Ridge would be next. I obeyed the messages that called me home. Everything was errily silent. A couple friends came to the house, my Owner was almost in a catonic state after hearing the news, pixie was there worried of her then-Master. The day passed so slowly, tvs and radios on, praying the phone would ring with news of Peoples safety...

I didn't allow myself to think about what was going on in New York, or the horror those Americans were experiencing... I had to be the strong person and take care of everyone else. (I guess some things never change.) It was much later in the next year, before I begin to really think about it. This morning I woke with it heavy on my mind, and when I found the story of Michael Hingson, I knew I had to share it.

Mr. Hingson is a blind man who worked on the 80th floor of the first building, and his guide dog, Roselle, who lead him safely down the stairs and got him safely home, even in the midst of the second building being attacked.


Roselle
by Michael Gaither

On that 9-11 morning when the planes came down,
He was sitting as his desk 80 stories from the ground.
We saw it on the tv, and though he didn’t see a thing,
When they hit, he reached for her, and she looked up at him.

Roselle the guide dog, she was sleeping on the floor,
She stood up and knew it was time to hit the door.
Roselle didn't panic or hesitate at all,
She just took his hand and led him down the hall.

We all need our own Roselle sometimes.
We all need our own Roselle sometimes.
A friend who'll lead you from the dark into the light,
We all need our own Roselle sometimes.

They went down a stairwell through smoke and broken glass,
She kissed the firemen as they ran quickly past.
When he felt the other tower fall he just prayed they’d be all right,
Then by the grace of a dog - they walked outside.

Outside in the wreckage he wondered where to go,
Then this yellow lab walked him to a cab.
That took 'em both back home.

I've heard angels walk among us, and I'd say it's true,
'cause I know one walks on four legs,
And wags hers tail when she looks at you.

We all need our own Roselle sometimes.
We all need our own Roselle sometimes.
A friend who'll lead you from the dark into the light,
We all need our own Roselle sometimes.