Encounter With Angels

Just when you think you have experienced the most profound, memorable time in your life - just when you think you have met all the heroes you could possibly meet - just when you think that no-one cares anymore and that the world has forgotten - ALONG COMES CERMT and the UNITED AROMATHERAPY EFFORT !!

I am a New Yorker- born and raised- have never lived anywhere else, could never live anywhere else. Any time I have ever traveled away from home I have been so proud to say "I am from New York" That is why when this horrific tragedy struck my state and my city it was almost too painful to bare. Then I became a volunteer and poured out my love through my hands trying to give back. I was an early volunteer in the very heart of Ground Zero, NYC from Sept 24 until the Red Cross closed its doors to us on November 7. Myself and fellow volunteers felt like we were abandoning the very city that needed us the most- We cried when it was time to leave - knowing in our hearts that our job was far from done - and that the real pain and healing was far from even beginning. I have tried many avenues to get back into volunteering only to find many closed doors. And then I heard about CERMT.

I had the honor and priviledge of becoming a part of the CERMT deployment to NYC in February. I don't know where to begin to explain the awesome "trip its been" .. When Kate and I showed up at the Howard Johnsons in midtown Manhattan for our meeting with CERMT on Sunday we had no idea what to expect - a group of southerners that care enough to put this together to help our city. That was awesome in itself but it only got better and better as we met and worked closely with these selfless wonders from hundreds of miles away as the week progressed.

I am a people person - and a very big "observer" of life. I was in disbelief when I saw the organization that was put into this trip. They had transformed a small hotel room into their Central Headquarters. Subway and street maps taped to the walls, supplies lining every inch of the room, massage chairs parked up against the walls- How did they get this stuff here I wondered? Sometimes up to 5 people sharing a room for the week - And the smells...the wonderful new smells of aromatherapy- not being that knowledgeable about aromatherapy in the past I received a wonderful in depth education as to the healing effect of these wonderful products from nature- They were truly here to help us heal!

As the week went on I had the honor of working with and getting to know many CERMT people from all over the country but the bulk from the south - North Carolina and Florida- what sacrifices they have made to be here to do this for my city- Their love and caring and sensitivity came through in everything they did. They carried their chairs and toted their supplies on wheels and moved tirelessly throughout the week on their journey to inform and heal a wounded city. They handed out silver coins with angels on them. They taught the firehouses about aromatherapy and set up stations with vaporizers and aromatherapy supplies. The response from the firemen was overwhelming. They were so grateful and so touched that someone cared enough about their damaged lungs to come and "adopt" them leaving all of these wonderful healing products behind - knowing that their journey to improved health had just begun.

Every night when I went home on the train to sleep alone in my warm bed my heart stayed at Howard Johnsons with CERMT. I couldn't imagine how they kept going - little sleep, little food - the frustration of trying to find their way around this tremendous city - including all 5 boroughs. 10- 14 hour days - like energizer bunnies they kept going and going and going ...... on their mission of love - to let us know they care and want to make a difference. Always smiling , never complaining - They touched me to the very depth of my soul -

I am hoping to raise some donations for CERMT and the UAE from my private clients in the very affluent suburbs of Westchester County where I live. So many people have felt helpless during this tragic but magic time - not knowing what to do - how many people have asked me "What can I do to help " Well now I know what to tell them - contribute whatever you can to this valiant cause - it is far from over - it will be needed and ongoing for months and unfortunately years to come- we can let the rescue workers and the thousands of others so horribly affected by this know that we haven't forgotten them - that we will be there for them as long as they need us- that their brothers and fathers and sisters and mothers and husbands and wives did not die in vain - that as a result of this disaster a new world has evolved - one where people like CERMT cant do enough to help - they have embraced my world with an ocean of human kindness beyond any I have ever seen- I have thanked them all but words are so inadequate to describe the feelings that they have stirred in my soul - I hope to continue to work with and help CERMT/UAE do the job that they are compelled to do here.

Please let me speak on behalf of all New Yorkers when I say a giant THANK YOU to all of you for your personal sacrifices , for your tired and achy muscles , for your tears, for your fatigue, for your hunger, for leaving your families and clients and comforts of home- but mostly for your LOVE and DEVOTION to New York. I fell in love with you all and cant wait until our paths cross again..............

Peace, Debbie Fatone - NYS Licensed Massage Therapist