Category: 9-11

Posted in 9-11, authors, biography, Bipolar disorder, determination, gymnastics, sports, Terrorism, writers

Coming June 19 – Within her Grasp

Posted on by jtailele

front cover 200 dpi for Kindle

Mari-Rae Sopper knew what she wanted to be since she was ten-years-old; when she watched Nadia Comãneci score that “perfect ten” at the Montreal Olympics. She wanted to be a professional gymnast. So she made a plan.

Driven by excellence and determination, “Mari-Rae put Fremd on the map,” according to Larry Petrillo, her high school coach. She moved on to be a formidable opponent in college gymnasts at Iowa State University and an impressive defense attorney for the Navy JAG core.

Within Her Grasp chronicles Mari-Rae’s journey to reach her dream while battling emotional issues that soared her to the skies and plunged her into the depths of despair, drove her to veer from her plan, but never from her dream.

“A beautiful thing about Mari-Rae was that she did more than get upset when she saw injustice – she acted on many of her convictions. She had an undying belief in doing the right thing, regardless of mainstream thinking.”   Jennifer Eichenmueller

“Mari-Rae was known for a dramatic flair. Her letters were no postcards – five pages front and back, hand-written and smeared because she was a lefty. They were her manifestos, read and re-read with notes in the margins, until they were perfect, because she wanted you to know exactly where she stood. And that’s what we could count on, her honest opinion.”   Dave Eck

“She lived her life basically like she wasn’t going to be here tomorrow. If she believed in something, she went all the way, and I think if more people did that, they’d be happier.” Mari-Rae’s mother, Marion Kiminek

On June 19, you may use this link, https://www.createspace.com/5487598 . Also available on Amazon.com and on my website, http://www.joannetailele.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3pSwxCeGu4

Posted in 2001, 9-11, country, family, love, remember, thanks

Where were you on Sept. 11, 2001?

Posted on by jtailele
 

911

 

Today is a day or remembrance. A day to remember the people who lost their lives to senseless violence.  Where were you when the towers were hit, the pentagon, the crash in the field in Shanksville, PA?   I was at home, waiting for my husband to get home so we could take our huge 100 lb Labrador to the vet. When he rushed through the door and said, “turn on the TV”, I could not believe what I saw. I called to my father, “Dad, we are under attack!” What? It sounded like some horror movie, it didn’t even look real.

The second hit
The second hit

We were at the vet’s by the time the Pentagon was hit and we watched from their tiny TV in the waiting room as we saw the towers collapse.

The Pentagon is hit.
The Pentagon is hit.

Then there was Shanksville.

Flight 93, crashed in Shanksville, PA
Flight 93, crashed in Shanksville, PA

I had a hard time moving passed that day. For two years I could not get on a plane. Just seeing one overhead made me duck, as if that would do any good. I am not ashamed that I had to get some help.  The terrorists had done what they set out to do – to terrify.  The innocent killings were shameful.  It makes me angry that they could cause such turmoil in   my personal life. I did not even know anyone that was killed.  But my rose-colored glasses came off that day.   Never again will I feel that we are invulnerable.  I had never known fear a single day in my life until September 11, 2001.  Now I live with it every day.

the innocent
the innocent and the brave

I know a lot of my readers are from other countries. I would like to know what it was like for you? Was it big news? Did it rattle you?  I don’t believe in being political on my site so I will not share my feelings about what is going on in the middle east today (every day – every month – every year).  I only know the innocent killing is not what God would want, no  matter what name you call Him (or Her) or what divine power you believe in.

I love my country so much. It is not perfect. It is made up of people – and people will never be perfect. But on this day, I am going to give thanks for my country, my military, my first responders, my every-day workers that keep our country moving. And I will remember – the fallen, the injured, the forgotten.

plane approaching the World Trade Center
plane approaching the World Trade Center

I think today must be the same feeling my parents got on Pearl Harbor Day. I heard it, but I never understood it – until September 11th.

Share you story. Where you were, What were your thoughts? Have they changed in twelve years?

9-11  NEVER FORGET

911 pentagon with flag