Where to begin? Another September 11 has passed. Quietly, this time...as we try to sort out how to remember the day with honor and respect. Without offering so much attention that we end up challenging more terrorists to try to create their own American holiday. Personally, this year's September 11 remembrance inspired me to explore my thinking a bit more closely. No doubt, America and its values are an easy target. We live to consume, often unaware of the pain and suffering we cause. How can I -- my family -- take steps to improve on that? How can we become more educated? How can we be more careful? More generous?

A side benefit to this year's morning gathering of students and faculty on September 11 was the opportunity for me to learn a bit more about the community I have joined. The mood was respectful and quiet. A group of students and adults sang, accompanied by piano, the Sting song, "Fragile". While I have heard the song many times, I had never considered it in this light...and I found that it summed up the mood and feeling of the day quite nicely.