“I Really Like It When People Compare Me To You”

Today is the anniversary of 9/11.This week, I watched a moving program on ABC called The Children of 9/11, about the children who lost their fathers in the attack on the World Trade Center. Diane Sawyer had done a show focusing on these children shortly after the attack, interviewing some of them and their mothers, and taking a group picture. Many of these children are close friends, with a profound bond brought about by a shared tragedy.

I was immensely impressed with these children, who ranged in age from 10 years to early 20’s. Of the ones interviewed for the show, most were mature, grounded, and articulate. There seemed to be an amazing lack of anger and bitterness. But, the one thing that came across more than any other was their desire to be like their fathers. Again and again, these children said that the thing that made them most proud was when someone would say that they were like their father in some way.  Many played a sport that their father played. Seventeen children became firefighters, many younger ones plan to be, because their fathers had been. These children and young adults strive to be like their fathers. They smiled as they talked about the things they have achieved that they know would have made their fathers proud.

I have thought about that show for a few days, considering the words of 1 John 3:1-2.“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.  Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears  we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”

Patrick Mate Lyons, who was born Oct. 7, 2001, wrote this in an open letter to his father, Patrick, one of those killed in the World Trade Center:

“I want you to know that Mommy is doing a great job of loving me and raising me in a happy home," Patrick said. "I play flag football in the same league as you, and in the same position as you, as quarterback. In baseball, I pitch, just like you did. I really like it when people compare me to you."