story1269.xml

story1269.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-08-19

This was sent by me on September 12 to those close to me.


To everyone who expressed concern and kind feelings in light of Tuesday's tragic events, thank you. I am okay, having left Marsh, and the 96th floor of One World Trade Center less than two months ago for a position with
Credit Suisse First Boston on 24th and Park. Unfortunately, many friends and co-workers at Marsh are gone as our offices, covering the 94th through
100th floors were the impact site on Tuesday.

Over the past two months I have often wondered why I left Marsh to come work at CSFB. Why leave a position where I could show up at 8:30 AM and leave at 5:00 PM vs. working until 8PM? Why leave an office 8 inches from the window
that looks gloriously from the Southwest side of the 96th floor out to the Statue of Liberty (my uncle would often ask if the Statue was waving to me)?

Why leave a company where I had earned the respect of colleagues and made so many close friends, that when I left I was told (with sincerity) to stay in touch and please leave work early at CSFB so I could be part of Marsh's
softball? Why did I leave a place that when my dad passed away on June 1,so many friends showed support by wearing black ribbons, winning against the best team in the league and giving me the game ball?

When dad died on June 1, I re-evaluated where I wanted to be in life. An opportunity arose with CSFB and I accepted the position shortly thereafter (though I had battled with the decision for many days). So I gave up the hours at Marsh, the day-to-day contact with people I cared so much about, gave up the window on the 96th floor facing the Statue of Liberty, gave up everything that seemed so right that I questioned why I was giving it up.

For the past two months, literally 3 months to my last day at Marsh, I regretted the move and questioned whether I had made a proper decision to leave Marsh and come to CSFB.

On Tuesday, September 11 (precisely three months from my first day away from Marsh), it all changed. 15 minutes after the time that I would have entered the office, a plane, as part of a tragic, cowardly act by terrorists, flew past the vicinity of the Statue of Liberty and crashed through the 96th floor SW window, my window, and began the destruction against America and humanity. Thousands of colleagues and scores of friends perished in this
senseless incident that will affect the world forever.

Yesterday, my sister-in-law told me that I was saved because I had a guardian angel. She did not have to tell me who it was. I have been given an opportunity to go forward wuith life. Many friends have not been so
fortunate (I have included several of them, postumously in the address field). My dad has protected me and given me the opportunity, to tell all of you how much I care about you, love you and cherish you for all that you have represented to my life. I would encourage everyone to tell those who matter, how much you care. Sadly, thousands will not have had the same opportunity and this could serve as a tribute to their memories.

Thanks again for meaning so much too me. If I haven't taken enough time in the past to say so, please accept my sincere feelings now, and going forward.

Thank you for listening,
Mike

How do we make sense of this