H and D Forever

Less than thirty days from now is the 22nd anniversary of the September 11, 2001 murderous, cowardly attacks.  Among those souls who were lost on that terrible Tuesday morning was Donald Leroy Adams of Chatham, New Jersey.   He was just twenty-eight years old.  

Donald L. Adams - Cantor Fitzgerald 

Photo Credit:  Heda Adams 

He was one of the 658 Cantor Fitzgerald employees murdered that morning.  A Vice-President of Sales in the firm's electronic trading division, eSpeed, he was on the 105th floor of the North Tower when it was struck.  

Donald Adams and his wife, Heda, both graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, where he was an offensive lineman on the school's football team.  Just six months before he was murdered, the couple welcomed their first child.  Heda Adams and baby Rebecca would, on summer evenings, sit on the front porch of the family's home in Chatham waiting for him to walk up the road from the train station, listening for him to greet them with, "There's my girls!"  

Heda Adams' eloquence is something that I cannot match.  I shall not attempt to do so.  Hers is extraordinary: 

Donald Adams, standing 6'5", was an impressive sight, but his personality was even more impressive.  He had a tremendous love for life.  As soon as you met him you could feel it.  He greeted you with a hello that could be heard from miles and a handshake that meant business.  Before long you were hugging and sharing stories and meeting at a bar for drinks.  His friends became his family and once you were family you were connected.  That meant going out to dinner, coming to the house for gatherings and, of course, golfing.  For those who played golf with Don knew you played until you dropped.  Golf to Don was like water to fish. 

The most important part of his life was his family, his daughter Rebecca and myself, his wife.  He was a devoted husband and father.  Our wedding 3 1/2 years ago was a magical day which brought our spirits together as one.  The birth of our daughter was a miracle that brought our physical beings together as one.  Our lives became complete with Rebecca.  In the 5 months that he knew Rebecca, Don gave her more love than some people receive in a lifetime.  At the end of the day, a kiss went to Rebecca and a kiss went to me.  His world was complete.  

Now as we move on and pick up the pieces, we draw on Don's strength and love for life to get us out of the dark. 

D, I love you and miss you.  H.  

-AK

He Took Care of It

Remembering Charles Mathers of Sea Girt NJ

at the 2023 Sea Girt 5K 

This past Saturday my friend Sue Kizis and I ran in the 32nd Annual Sea Girt 5K.   As it always is, it was a great event.  As it always is, the post-race gathering at Fratello's Restaurant was also a great event.  It was there where we saw this gentleman wearing this shirt.  Not knowing who Charles Mathers was, I took a photograph of him wearing it and then, did a bit of research into who the man is whose life and whose loss inspired this love.  

Charles Mathers of Marsh McLennan was one of three residents of Sea Girt, New Jersey killed on September 11, 2001.   He had lived in Sea Girt with Margaret, his wife of thirty-nine years.  It is where they raised their three children.  It is where he served his community as a member of the Sea Girt Volunteer Fire Department's Fire Company No. 1 for twenty-five years.    

Mr. Mathers was a Managing Director for Marsh Power Group in the World Trade Center's North Tower.  He graduated from Virginia Military Institute in 1962 and thereafter served this nation in the United States Navy for six years.  

He loved his family.  He loved his community.  He loved his country.   His life was cut short.  

Sea Girt September 11, 2001 Memorial

May his memory live forever.  

-AK 

 

Keeping the Promise to Never Forget

It has been a while since anything has appeared in this space.  Beginning tomorrow and continuing through Monday  September 11 2023, an admittedly incomplete and most likely underwhelming tribute to one of the innocents murdered on that terrible Tuesday morning shall appear here.   It is my small way to honor those who died.    My small way of making sure I never forget. 

Here is to hoping that neither do you.  

-AK

Buffs Helping Buffs

 

Today on the campus of my Alma mater, CU Boulder, several hundred people are taking part in a simply terrific event.  It is the 11th Annual Buffs4Life Kyle MacIntosh Memorial 5K.  Buffs4Life is an organization established by - and overseen by - Buff alums who were student athletes to create a safety net for Buffs in need.  Kyle MacIntosh was an exceptional track-and-field athlete taken far too soon by an insidious disease.   

This year, as I have done every year since 2020 - when COVID forced the creation of a “virtual” event, I shall do my small part from here in the great Garden State.   For as a member of this particular herd, “Shoulder to Shoulder” is much more than a lyric from the fight song’s chorus.  It is a recognition of our commitment to one another.  

-AK

The Truest Companion

 

Thirty years ago today, Margaret and I got married.   One of the great mysteries of my life is why she ever agreed to such a clearly one-sided deal.   One of the other great mysteries of my life is why she has tolerated my bullshit for the past thirty years.   

May I never give her cause to start looking hard for the answer to either of those questions.  She is an amazing woman, my wife.  Absolutely extraordinary.   The default thing to say today might well be “Happy Anniversary!” but what I really want to say is “Thank you!”

Today.  Tomorrow.   And every day thereafter. 

-AK

Six Years Gone

 

Six years ago - today - my mother died.  Thirty-six years earlier - to the day - she had buried her husband/my father.  Mom was the epitome of a person who gave more to this world than she got from it.  She gave generously and asked for nothing in return.  Not from anyone.  Not ever.  

-AK 

Of Buttons and Blouses

My mother-in-law, Suzanne Bozzomo, died fourteen years ago today.  It makes me more than a little uncomfortable that I shall begin this day in Florida, several hundred miles away from Margaret and from Joe.  This is not an easy day for either of them.  Nor has it been for any of the past fourteen years.  

Then again, when someone you love completely - and who loved you that very same way - dies, the pain you feel never goes away.   Neither does the love.

-AK