written by: Jim DeFede
narrated by: Ray Porter
rating: loved
On September 11, 2001, when the airways above the US where closed, 38 jetliners were forced to land at Gander International Airport in Canada. A town of roughly 10k people swelled to 17k in the course of several hours and the people of Gander made room in their churches, schools, community centers, homes, and hearts for these stranded individuals. They gave them shelter, food, and even the clothes from their closets and linens from their cabinets, but most importantly they gave them hope that there was still good left in the world after the atrocities the world over had just witnessed.
Every year for the past several years I have read a book about September 11 right around the anniversary of that tragic day. And this one is the happiest one I have read yet because it celebrates the inherent goodness you can find in people when egos and status and the sense of self is put aside and the common good is the goal. Strangers became family and support systems and lifelong friends because of how they found the best in a tragic situation. I found hope and humor and inspiration in these pages.
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