25 YEARS LATER
E. Perryman 9.2026
#akintsucrooner
Dad, 25 years ago on 9.11.2001, you and mom watched in horror as the 2nd plane flew into the World Trade Center towers during the terror attacks. You would live for only one more month after this depravity of human nature. This tragedy would be the worldwide advent of rampant unconscionable terror attacks that would ensue during the first quarter of the 21st century.
Dad, on 9.15.2001, I drove home to Chicago from Louisiana along with my Nokia cell phone on a wing and a prayer so I didn’t miss an opera audition after all the planes were grounded. Lucky for me, I was fortunate enough to see you one last time. I distinctly remember staying longer than I intended and not wanting to leave.
Dad, the last 25 years has brought enormous changes to our world: physically, mentally, culturally, ethically, politically, and emotionally making 2026 scarcely recognizable from what you knew at the turn of the 21st century. Reality that I knew 25 years ago seems like an altered state in retrospect; the blinders have gradually come off.
Dad, your wife, children, grandchildren, family, friends still here face intense and mighty challenges that pervade life in 2026. The impact of modern day reality would surely have affected you deeply. I wish I could have witnessed how you would have poured yourself into your music making.
Dad, who knows what tomorrow will bring but I can say with confidence that I have learned that nothing is promised and expectation is a fool’s quest. I’m 6 years younger now than when you passed away. I know if you would have been granted more time, you would have made the most of it as you had just begun your retirement after three decades of service as an educator and musical artist.
Dad, as I continue to attempt to solve this riddle of living, I can only think about your life force and all that you gave others from family and friends to students and colleagues. In one of your world view moments of optimism, you told me once that you believed people are ultimately good at heart. Things are better, things are worse, and much is still the same. As always, Schöne Tochter
akintsucrooner 