Dear friends:

The week is over. Sylla, Doug E., Chris, Laura, Karin… went back to their respective homes after a week long of unselfish and hard labor. I am very proud to have been part of this effort… it was absolutely magical, fantastic, arduous, emotionally and physically draining, and absolutely incredible.

These five massage therapists carried their massage chairs on their back to go from place to place, where it was needed, to help with families who have lost their loved ones, others who were emotionally wounded and those with aches and pains of all kinds. Being a New Yorker I have however never made use of the subway system, not liking it, and preferring to drive around in my car. I had an education. They showed ME how to get around the subway in Manhattan… they’re real pros at it now! ;o).

These five volunteers transported their chairs and all your donations of wonderful products everywhere in the subway, on the bus, on the trains… I have never seen a group with such dynamism and unselfish loyalty to the cause they were serving. There was not one minute of respite, and yet never a sign of complain, never a sign of annoyance, never a bad word, but on the contrary, smiles and dedication, soothing and comforting those who needed them, and comforting of one another. Yes, the tiredness and exhaustion was marked on their faces, but they kept going. They worked in the cold, in the back of open fire stations, in places with no ventilation, and still never a word of complain. Sometimes, they would receive a call, at the end of the day. Someone wanted them later in the evening… back on the train, gears on their backs, serving those in need… never time for lunch and after the day was over, all five of time sharing the same hotel room. What a group, what a team! I am still in wonder.

They went from Jackson Heights, to Queens, back to Brooklyn, then the Bronx, down near ground zero, on Lafayette Street, the Medical Examiner Office downtown where all dead bodies are being brought in. then, the main midtown fire station on 48th and 8th, the Pride of Manhattan, who lost 17, all those on shift September 11.

We met fantastic people along the way. Those who had never received a massage were grateful and amazed. We met firefighters from all over. On the 11th there were many firefighters and police officers from England. There was a special ceremony at St. Patrick’s for our British brothers and it was a great gathering. We met firefighters from Vancouver who were anxious to help and talk about their experiences in New York. We met with the fire Marshall of Brooklyn who was extremely thankful for these efforts.

The team also worked at a center for battered women, offering their services. Everywhere they went, people asked them to come back. The kindness of strangers is amazing; in one place, the personnel giving us a little money to have lunch, some others hugging us and thanking us, some crying… we cried with them. There was never time for lunch… perhaps a bite of some energy bar of something to chew while in the subway going to the next destination, shared with one another.

Nothing like a tragedy like the one we have experienced to bring people together, no matter what their religious, political, economical, race etc.background is. Kindness is the common language for all in a time like this. I have to thank the team for taking me along in their journey, for encouraging me, for letting me be part of their efforts. New York thanks you. And please come back, you are still needed here.

And to you all on Marge's list and the idma list, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. Your generosity is beyond words. As I went through all the products, I could not believe the generosity. I am however not surprised. The people on this list and on Marge list are the BEST, the very best there is. You responded to our appeal and you were all in our hearts and spiritually with us every step of the way. There was never a moment, when I picked up a product from someone that I didn’t say a silent thank you to you all before giving it to a person in need of it. You were all in our hearts. Thanks for being with us all the way.

Mynou de Mey
CERMT Team Member