Frank J. Callahan

“Every year that passes, we feel the distance of one memory suddenly pushing ahead of all the rest. The remembrance of the day when so many lost their lives. They were unsuspecting of the disaster that befell them. Unable to process their sudden death. And then there is a release of the painful memory as our family calls out our names in prayers. They wish us to continue standing beside them, some to sleep next to, others to walk nearby. We feel your loss, your pain, and your grief. Every year, as this date approaches, those who said goodbye to us in the morning and never saw us re-enter the door in the evening still hold their sadness so very close to their hearts.

I have come to say, “We hear you.”

I have been asked to represent, as a whole, the many individuals who lost their lives on this date. We hear you. We hear your prayers and feel your love. We also know that your loss will not be healed by the small token of kind words from your friends and family or even the President reading out the names of those who perished. But we come, I come, to share with you that we have never left your side.

We are still here, with you, but as light and energy of love. Our bodies have deteriorated under the rubble of time, but our spiritual beings continue to be with you. We are very much alive, sitting with you, having coffee or watching the telly. We kiss our children good night, we sing with you in church, we walk with you along the shoreline, and we even laugh at the times you have shopping in a department store. Oh, how we wish we could hold you, too. Our lives were suddenly torn asunder.

Confusion was our state as we left our bodies one by one. Hundreds of lives were calling out for help. But the ears of God reached our calls and your prayers for our safekeeping. Angels were sent to aid our pain and confusion.

Yes, that’s right, there are Angels. And lots of them.

I cannot convince you of their whereabouts or existence, but I can share that they are as present on Earth as they are with us. Is this heaven that we reside in? For many, those who believe in a Heaven, then yes. For those who believe in Nirvana, yes, and for those who believe in a consciousness that is whole and made of love, yes, absolutely yes.

We, who have left our bodies, the victims of the September 11 attack, are here to tell you we are whole, filled with grace beyond your wildest imagination. I was not a religious devotee, but I prayed when I was in body. I believed in something greater than what man is; without a doubt, I knew there was more to living, a greater purpose to the man I was. But I never had an inkling of who I could become or how. I became a firefighter because I felt a calling as a rescuer.

My desire to constantly push the envelope to life, the risk of fire and danger consumed me. Not that I wanted to die, but that I wanted to live, to explore the possibilities of what my body could experience and not die. The thrill of the fire department, the daily challenges and routine, gave me purpose.

When September 11 happened, and I did not walk out of the fire and rubble, I discovered the purpose I desperately sought. I am a rescuer, still. I do this for other firefighters and emergency workers around the globe. I reach out and touch those who will not survive the disasters they are in. This could be fires, floods, earthquakes, and terrorist bombings. Many of us who perished during the attack are doing rescue work— our purpose.

I come to share this with you because it is our gift to you. We wish for those who remember us with sadness and loss to know that we feel your pain and grief; however, it is time for you to know that we continue to live, love, and breathe beside you. We continue to serve a purpose that gives us joy as well. We wish for you to know our joy in our new home. Our love is unbounded by any parameter and flows continuously toward you, those who survived the September 11, 2001 attack.

Thank you for all you give to us. Your continued remembrance of our work, play, and love holds us close to you. We will remain here for as long as you need us. We are your angels.

Thank you.

Frank Callahan”