rememberence

I live in Rochester, which is about 60 miles East of Buffalo. I grew up in Buffalo, most specifically in a town known as Orchard Park. When you are a Buffalonian you tend to know people. It's a place where everyone knows everyone. There has been a lot of waiting during the past day. And that's the hardest part.

Friday was a tough day for all Western New Yorkers.

When I learned of the news and where the crash had occurred, my heart began to race. I could picture the very street. Who was on the flight.... it's a feeling of terror.... and then the waiting. Texting and emails and phone calls began to swirl between everyone I know from Buffalo.

Slowly the names began to emerge. Then the tears began to pour.

I know they may say this about certain towns or cities or groups of people, I so badly want to single out that Buffalonians are a special tight knit group of people. I think that exists everywhere around the country however. I think as humanity we are a closer group of people.

When you meet someone from Buffalo we are so strangely proud of our city.

While our hearts are heavy in sadness and disbelief...... we have to take those small pieces of what is left and move froward. And offer the very best of ourselves to everyone who was affected.

The families who were waiting at the airport that night.

The brother who watched his sister's plane crash.

The woman in Newark who didn't get on the plane, the girl in front of her did make that flight, so she wished her a good flight and they smiled at one another. The woman who didn't make the flight.... she needs to be prayed for also.

The family on the ground who lost their father and husband.

So please keep the families in your prayers on this Valentine's Day. Their healing will take a very long time, but we can send love, and faith and prayers.

And never forget them.

For more coverage please click here.