Vol. 2 No. 64 September 18, 2001
Joy and Sorrow in a Month of Change
The Family has been, like everyone else in the world, hard hit with a huge change, as our memorable family vacation as participants of Seatrek 2001 gave us a reservoir of joy and unity from which to draw as the dark day of September 11 crashed into our lives. The ten days we spent in England, sailing together on the tall ship Sorlandet, and rejoicing with other lovers of the maritime world in Portsmouth at their incredible Festival of the Sea, were a comforting reservoir from which to draw while reeling from the shock of the attack on the World Trade Center in New York this month. We remain ever grateful to Daddy Bill for his efforts to give us this gift of family togetherness.
Mary, Dad and Annie Eyewitnesses to Horrific Event
Three members of our family were in New York City the day of the WTC bombings. We found it helpful to set up a web link to enable them to communicate and share their stories, and it is through their accounts that we were able to understand the horror of observers of this tragedy. Mary was closest to the blast, on the NYU campus, Annie standing on the street across the river in Brooklyn, and Dad on the 48th floor of Rockefeller Center Plaza. Dad evacuated with his business associates, Mary fled through the streets looking for safe shelter, finally holing up in her Dad's hotel lobby 50 blocks away and getting urgent e-mail communications out to assure us of her safety. Our hearts go out to all those bereaved by this event, and to the leaders of our nation that they might be guided in the difficult days ahead to formulate the appropriate response to the threat that faces our nation and the world.John Advances in Priesthood
After obtaining special permission from local church leaders, Daddy Bill was authorized to perform the ordination ceremony of John's advancement in the priesthood to the office of Elder, which will qualify him for his future service as a missionary for the Church. The event took place somewhere between the Irish Sea and the English Channel, and was attended by all members of the Family on board the Sorlandet. We had a wonderful family meeting for an hour in the back of the banjer, or living quarters of the ship, and found great joy in seeing this young Benac move forward to take his place in the Church and family.
Mary and Annie Settle in Brooklyn
Some might say "just in time?", but our New Yorkophiles, Mary and Annie, are grateful to be in New York these days and settling into their new routines, classes and jobs in the Greatest City in the World. Mary has taken a job in a research lab to supplement her income as she begins her graduate studies at NYU in biology, and Annie toils in an art supply store to earn food money, in addition to her work as she resumes her studies at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. They make excellent roomies, as Dad has testified after watching the delightful interplay of their sisterly personalities as they make their new life Up North together.Lovely Lineup in London
Benac Sisters Mary, Annie, Sarah and Allison lined up in London prior to being taken out on the town as guests of our dear Dad, who scored enough tickets for the entire family to the musical production, The Lion King, showing in the famous theater district of that wonderful city. We are so grateful for all his efforts to bring and keep this rollicking gang together! Our final day in Europe was a fortifying prelude to the sobering events that awaited us all at home. We are here at the right time, though, and we are UP FOR IT! Love and strength to all.