SEPTEMBER SONG
By Anderson and Weill

?Oh, it?s a long, long while from May to December
But the days grow short when you reach September
When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame
One hasn?t got time for the waiting game

Oh, the days dwindle down to a precious few
September, November
And these few precious days I?ll spend with you
These precious days I?ll spend with you.?

SEPTEMBER ? This month was once a time of excitement and anticipation for us – shopping for school clothes and supplies, posing for the first day of school photographs before heading down to the bus stop, rushing out to pick up those few elusive supplies still needed, the official school photographs?.(I still remember Cailean posing with his arms around Brittany and Mariel in the Garrison School courtyard and a friend exclaiming ?What a very nice family!? . I so treasure the photograph that captures this moment.)

And then, in 2000, it was a tragic month as we suffered through the painful last days and the death of our father and grandfather on September 21 (The words of ?September Song? quoted above were from his favorite song played by Mantovani).

And, then just short of a year later, the horrific events of September 11, 2001. I still remember sitting with Cailean after I returned from teaching second grade that day. He related how he heard about what had happened while he was at school; we stayed up late that night watching and discussing what was being shown on television that evening. He was a very sensitive boy and, needless to say, that day greatly affected him.

I continue to measure time ? before and after May 12, 2004. Who ever would have ever surmised on September 11, 2001 the hell that Cailean would have had to endure? Just last night we were watching a wonderful documentary entitled ?Winged Migration?. It told the sacrifice and endurance of many breeds of birds that migrate each year. One short segment showed the World Trade Centers in the background of New York City; I immediately thought that Cailean was alive and truly enjoying life when that brief moment was filmed. In a metaphoric way, I also thought, hoped, and have to continue to trust, that Cailean has also moved on to a safe and peaceful place.

And life does indeed go on?Dexter will start pre-school tomorrow wearing his new brown shoes. Our hopes and wishes for a wonderful school year go with him. We all look forward to the birth of his new brother or sister come the end of January!

Thanks to all who continue to love, remember, and honor Cailean. Maureen