9/11 Remembrance 2022
Kate woke up at 4 AM very upset. She was in tears and sobbing so loudly. MJ had awakened as his sister was hightailing it out of their room. He knew she was headed to their mothers' room, so he went back to sleep. She ran into her mothers' room without knocking. She climbed up on top of Maura and rolled over her so that she was in between Jane and Maura. She had her little blanket with her.
Maura knew right away that it was Kate and that she must be upset about something. She turned on the bedside lamp as it was still dark out. She knew it was early in the morning, as she and Jane had fallen asleep after midnight.
"Kate, sweetie, what is the matter? Why are you crying?" Maura asked. Jane had stirred hearing Maura's voice and started drawing small circles on Kate's back in an effort to comfort her.
"Mommy, I forgot. Today, we never forget and I forgot. I can't remember." Kate explained in between her sobs.
"Kate, you just turned four last month. We don't expect you to remember why we remember today. I will explain why we remember today and state that we will never forget, but after breakfast, okay?" Jane asked. Jane was awake now and was concerned for Kate. She did get emotional at times but she was really upset about not be able to remember the significance of today.
"Okay, Mama. Can I stay here?" Kate asked with her sad little eyes. How could Jane refuse her. She pulled back the covers and let Kate climb in. Maura reached over and turned off the bedside lamp. Kate laid on her back and each of her mothers snuggled into her side. She loved her mothers. She put a hand on each of their cheeks. Jane reached up and took Kate's little hand in hers and kept it at her cheek. She knew that Kate loved the connection. Just like she liked to be connected to Maura when she slept. Jane reached her other hand over to Maura and held her hand. Jane slept better when she was connected to Maura.
Kate had left the door wide open and that is how MJ found them at 7 AM when he got up. He quietly walked over and picked up Maura's cell phone so that he could take a picture. He punched in her code to unlock her phone and quickly took the picture and then sent it to his Nonna. He knew she would love it. They looked so adorable laying there. He then went downstairs to read while he waited for everyone to wake up.
At 8 AM Maura stirred and quickly remembered that Kate had come in earlier in the morning. She very carefully removed herself from Kate and Jane and slipped out of the bed. Kate snuggled into Jane. Jane was still asleep and snuggled with Kate. She didn't wake up, she sensed the warm body next to her and just tighten her grip on Kate. Maura just smiled looking at her two loves sleeping so peacefully.
Maura went downstairs to start making breakfast. She saw MJ sitting at the kitchen island reading the newspaper. He was reading the sports section because he knew as soon as his Mama got up, she would ask for the sports section.
It was after 9 AM when Kate and Jane woke up and came downstairs. Maura handed Jane a cup of coffee. Jane smiled and said, "Thank you, Maur. I love you."
She handed Kate a glass of apple juice. Jane and Kate both sat at the kitchen island. Kate sat next to Jane so she could lean on her Mama, she was still tired. Maura asked, "How does pancakes sound?"
At that moment, Lilly and AJ appeared in the kitchen and Lilly said, "Good morning mommies. I would love pancakes." AJ was right behind her and wiped at his eyes and nodded in agreement.
"Oh, baby, are you still tired?" Maura asked AJ.
"Yes, Mommy. I heard Kate crying last night and it woke me up." He looked over at his little sister, "Are you okay, Kate?"
"I forgot about today and Mama said she will help me remember after breakfast." Kate replied still looking a little sad but her Mama would make things better for her after breakfast.
Lilly had also awoken when Kate was crying but she could tell from the sobs that Kate was running to their mothers' room so she rolled back over and went back to sleep. She wondered why Kate didn't have MJ comfort her. She chose her mommies instead. "Kate, Mama will take care of you." Kate smiled at Lilly and hugged her Mama tightly. She knew her Mama would make sure she remembered.
Jane just looked down at her youngest daughter and said, "Yes, sweetheart, I will help you remember and then you will be fine."
Maura had their pancakes ready and served everybody. They all sat down and ate and then moved out to the living room so they could talk.
Jane said, "Kate, do you remember the trip we took to New York City over the summer?"
Kate looked up at her Mama, she was sitting in her lap and said, "Yes."
"Do you remember the places we visited with the pictures and memories?" Jane asked.
"Yes, Mama. Wait," Kate closed her eyes so she could picture the buildings and the pictures. When Kate opened her eyes she said, "That was the 911 Memorial."
"Yes, baby and that is the memorial for what we won't forget." Jane told her.
Lilly added, "Mama, so many people died that day when those planes crashed into the twin towers, the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania."
"Yes, and the memorial pays tribute to them and all of the first responders and civilians who tried to help that lost their lives that day." Jane informed them.
"Over 70 countries lost citizens that day and it remains the deadliest terrorist act in world history. The New York Medical Examiner's Office has added to the death toll as people who were affected by the smoke and debris from that day pass away, many from cancer." Maura added.
"I remember now. I was so sad when we went there. I am happy that you took me there because we need to remember. As I get older, I will remember and never forget." Kate stated.
"Baby, if you want to go back to the memorial in a few years when you are older, we can." Jane told Kate. "It will help you remember and you can continue to pay tribute to the memory of those who lost their lives on that tragic day."
"I would." Kate replied. "I would like to go again with our family."
Jane was pleased, she loved when their children exhibited an interest. She would be happy to take their children back to the 911 Memorial, anytime they wanted. Tonight, the family was going to the Nelson Fire Department to attend the 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony. Jane promised herself 21 years ago that she would never forget and when she married Maura she promised also. Now that they have the children, they wanted to make sure that they understood what happened on that very tragic day and that way they also would never forget.