My heartfelt thanks to Tom Hanks who brought the incredible story of the miracle of the 9/11Boatlift to the internet, narrating the story as a “you tube” presentation.

On 9/11/2001, after the World Trade Center Towers were destroyed, over a half million people desperately needed a real life miracle, and that is what they received! It was not until the tenth anniversary of 9/11 (2011) that I became aware of an extraordinary story that could only be viewed as a miracle for the many thousands of people who feared for their lives, thinking they might not have any means of escaping the dangers of the city, nor be able to return home to the safety of their families. This is their story, and one which, at this season of giving thanks for our blessings, enables us to remember that with love and hope, all things are possible.

As the World Trade Center Towers came crashing down on 9/11, the smoke and debris could be seen for many miles and most certainly was obvious to those who drove the boats that normally ran between New Jersey and New York City. The people of lower Manhattan, believing that their city had been under attack, instinctively ran to keep ahead of the dust, smoke and debris -- until they could run no more. They had come to the water's edge. There, they fell to the ground, weeping and crying out for help. Some even jumped into the river to escape what they felt was imminent danger. All transportation into and out of Manhattan had been shut down and many people believed that they had no way of finding sanctuary.

As it turned out, boats were now the only way out of New York. One of the boat captains, Vincent Ardolino, owner of Amberjack V, seeing countless individuals calling out in their pain and suffering, looking like zombies, as they stood covered in dust, was so deeply moved that he felt he had to do something to help. Without hesitation, he steered his boat over to where people were congregated and began taking men and women onto his boat and transporting them to safe havens.

Other boat captains followed his example. Boats came from everywhere, filling the horizon – tugboats, charter boats, ferry boats – all converging on lower Manhattan, all providing people with the blessing of what felt like a "miraculous" rescue. People lined up, waiting for their turn to be carried to safety. Boat owners would hang the boats' destinations on sheets hung on their boats. These boats were the answer to people’s prayers. Never before had boat captains and owners come together to spontaneously launch such a huge rescue effort. Without any training or planning, but acting on pure instinct, captains tearfully and passionately took action. All day long, boats came, picked up people and transported them, boatload after boatload, so that people miraculously were reunited with their loved ones.

The events of 9/11 provided rare opportunities for ordinary human beings to provide very valuable service to others -- as angels and heroes. The captains of the boats were emotionally overwhelmed with the awareness of their role in aiding people who had been traumatized by the day's events. In the words of one captain: "Everyone has a hero in them. If I do it and I fail, I tried. If I do it and I succeed, better for me." Another captain, stated: "Even if I rescue one person, that is one person less that would suffer and die."

Miracles are expressions of love -- and prayer is the vehicle for the expression of love. On 9/11 more than a half a million souls were in need of miracles if they were going to make it safely home. When they arrived at the water's edge, there was no indication that boats would come and save them, given the large numbers of people who had run from the disaster area. In their pain, fear and suffering, they prayed that they might be saved. It was the compassionate, loving energy of those whose boats shuttled back and forth in the waters of the river that day that so lovingly answered the prayers of those in need of help.

On 9/11/2001 the world was witness to the power of Love and Hope. On that day 500,000 people felt blessed and grateful that their prayers had been answered. What happened on 9/11 should be celebrated and remembered as an extraordinary blessing and as a miracle rooted in compassionate love.

Miracles are a part of life -- a wonderful part of life-- happening all the time. Don’t miss a special opportunity to learn more about miracles and the role you play in creating miracles in your life.

On November 12, at 2:00 pm, at Barnes & Noble at the Oxford Valley Mall, in Falls Township, in Bucks County, PA, I invite you to come, relax, have a bite and, share time with me as I speak about one of my favorite topics, the healing power of true stories of miracles. This will be followed by a book signing for Touched by the Extraordinary Book Two: Healing Stories of Love, Loss and Hope. (Please see What’s New with Susan).

I look forward to sharing this time with you.
 

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MY FAVORITE QUOTE FOR NOVEMBER

"Prayer is the medium of miracles…Through prayer love is received and through miracles love is expressed." ~A Course in Miracles