Is it me or does it feels like September 11, 2001 happened just the other day; I suppose for those of us that were directly affected by the events the feelings are still very real, the wounds are still fresh and have not yet fully healed. Where did the time go? It seems unreal that it has been 8 years since our lives completely changed. Whatever happened to September 12, when we all became one family, one community, one city, and one nation? Things are a little bit more normal nowadays and sometimes I wonder if we forgot the pain, the emptiness, the loneliness and those feelings we can’t even described that we all experienced on that dark day.

One thing is for certain, we lost a great deal of good people and I lost a part of my life that it can never get back, my brother Carlos Lillo. He was indeed a very caring and loving person even to those that hardly knew him. I don’t need to say much as many of you had the privileged to share some good times together with him so I will let his testimony speak for itself.

But most of all, I wonder where my brother will be today? It really saddens me when I think about the nieces and nephews I never met, the BBQ we never got the chance to enjoy, the camping trips we never took, the tears and joys we never got the chance to shared. He was stolen from us way too early and unfortunately, those questions will never be answer.

As I looked back and remember those events, I recalled a scripture we used often that gave us strength and comfort during those difficult times. It’s found in John chapter 15 verses 12-13: “….Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends”. My brother Carlos gave the ultimate Love to us, for you, for this city, and for this great country; he gave his Life which is the greatest treasure anyone can give as there is no greater sacrifice. This also reminded me that life is a gift, a gift from the almighty God and we must make every effort to do what’s righteous and good and that is what Carlos did and was to so many people and in so many ways. It is sad to die young but it is more unfortunate to die and never to have lived or known the person Carlos was and became. Therefore I only have a sense of gratitude to God for giving us the opportunity and privilege for the 37 years of his life we enjoyed with him.

As we move forward and remember the 8^th anniversary of 9/11, let us not forget those painful events and lets make an effort to think of those who gave it all.

Cesar Lillo

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