Essays Category

Why I Respond When My Name is Called

In Loving Memory of Elizabeth Rieb ne. Teseny September 22, 1943 – January 20, 1982 When I was thirteen with a sketch pad in my lap, I could go to a deep place where no one could see me. I drew Ziggy awakening to actionable change; Snoopy leaving the doghouse, shouldering his comforts in a […]

Read More

Letter to David – September 11, 2026

Love does not cease with the body. i began writing letters to David on September 11, 2001 became my conduit for love. It was about survival.

Read More

25 YEARS, NO FINALITY

Had the American government knowingly set up the terrorist torture program to hide evidence, never to deliver justice to 9/11 Victims? What is behind the delay?

Read More

THE NEXT RIGHT THING

David, I would do it all again behind the veil of unknowing. Any twist in our backstory could have led to a different future. I’m grateful that you were in mine. I love your forever. This is my choice. To us! – Deborah

Read More

LARK ASCENDING

I stand in the opening of the garage in my home in Vermont, chucking balls for the border collie to chase. The yard is veiled under a heavy blanket of leaves, the amber and bittersweet tinge of fall’s bruising. I’m wearing winter fleece under my rain jacket. The dog doesn’t care about the cold or […]

Read More

PLEASE DO NOT WISH ME ‘HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!’

This Mother’s Day is May 11th. It also happens to be David’s 64th birthday. Chat GPT says it’s a rare occurrence happening in intervals of 5, 6, and 11 years. He has missed 24 birthdays and Mother’s Days. My mother has missed 43 Mother’s Days. She never met David. The last Mother’s Day when Dave […]

Read More

IT’S A GO!

January 5, 2025 Thursday, January 2, VFM’s (Victim’s Family Members) received a cautionary email from the Victim Witness Specialist, Will Andreu from the Office of Military Commissions, recommending that we do not begin travel to Andrew’s AFB, MD until Friday afternoon. Additonally, if we have not heard from the office prior to our departure, to […]

Read More

AS THE CLOCK UNWINDS, A DECISION ON THE JAN 6-17 9/11 PTA ENTRIES HEDGES ON THE BALANCE

January 1, 2025 2025 begins by ringing in the New Year with family in the south eastern corner of PA, idoling 100 miles from Andrew’s Air Force Base, after boarding my dog and driving 430 miles from Burlington Vermont. This first box on the calendar finds me checking email periodically for a notice from the […]

Read More