Seraphim's Journal of Muses

When I originally signed up for the 2,996 tribute, wondered for a while what I would write. I also had some concerns about getting it done at the correct time due to my working hours and non-american timezone. But I decided to go for it anyway - and this is why.
It doesn't matter where you are, when human tragedy strikes. It doesn't matter what you say, or when you say it - as long as you remember. It may not be the correct time for you, reader, in your country. But the events that happened on that day 5 years ago affect the people who were involved, and many more, every day. Not just one day a year. People have to live without loved ones they lost, with injuries they recieved, or with memories they must relive vividly for the rest of their lives. They do this every day.... so one day of my time, given in thought and rememberance, is nothing.

I found very little information about the person I am remembering here today. But I did find this: Her name was Danielle Delie. She was a warm, delightful individual who was working within the world trade center building as a management consultant - she was obviously an intelligent woman. She was one of the many international victims, of french origin, who died that day. At 47, she was still young, and her smile suggests to me a youthful, adventurous personality.

She probably woke up and went to work, expecting a day like any other. She could never have known what was to befall her, her collegues and indeed all of the world that day. I imagine she smiled and laughed like any other day. Maybe drank a coffee or tea, spoke to a friend or loved one, unaware that she would never see them again. I remember watching the footage of the trade center bombings on my TV in England. I wonder now, if Danielle Delie was one of those I saw - fighting their fate with courage, or accepting it with quiet dignity that I know I would not have had. I like to think she was one of those people; a beautiful woman with much to live for, who will be remembered by many - not least by me.

The eerily fateful thing about this exercise of rememberance, for me, was this: When I signed up for the 2,996 tribute a name was chosen for me at random - that of the beautiful frenchwoman Danielle Delie. In real life, I answer to the same name, also of french origin. To me it was a somber reminder that these people's lives and memories should be carried on and celebrated, for as long as these people are remembered, the unwilling sacrifice they made that day to open the worlds eyes to the global threat of terrorism, will not have been fruitless.