9/11, 12 years later

Much is being said and done on yet another sad anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, so I won't pile on with too many thoughts and words. I think often of the phrase the "post-9/11 world" and it really resonates. Our current group of freshmen athletes were in kindergarten or first grade on Sept. 11, 2001. Their whole world view has been shaped, in one way or another, by the events of that day.

As humans, we all try to make sense out of the senseless, and it is virtually impossible. In those times, we look to the most creative of our kind to help us sort out our complex emotions. Bruce Springsteen's album, "The Rising," may be the single most important tribute work to 9/11 there is. I just heard a moving song from that album on the radio, and I share with you the lyrics to that song here.

"You're Missing" by Bruce Springsteen

  Shirts in the closet, shoes in the hall

Mama's in the kitchen, baby and all
Everything is everything
Everything is everything
But you're missing

Coffee cups on the counter, jackets on the chair
Papers on the doorstep, you're not there
Everything is everything
Everything is everything
But you're missing

Pictures on the nightstand, TV's on in the den
Your house is waiting, your house is waiting
For you to walk in, for you to walk in
But you're missing, you're missing
You're missing when I shut out the lights
You're missing when I close my eyes
You're missing when I see the sun rise
You're missing

Children are asking if it's alright
Will you be in our arms tonight?

Morning is morning, the evening falls I have
Too much room in my bed, too many phone calls
How's everything, everything?
Everything, everything
You're missing, you're missing

God's drifting in heaven, devil's in the mailbox
I got dust on my shoes, nothing but teardrops