A 911 Love Story

“Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude.” -- 1 Corinthians 13:4

Klaus and Shaina met in New York.  She was neither beautiful nor extraordinary.  Nothing would make her stand out in a crowd – she was dusky with very normal features.   Not gorgeous, but she had a gift for making others feel beautiful about themselves. 

Without warning, Shaina fell in love with the rugged, handsome Klaus.

Having to return to India temporarily to care for an ailing mother, she bid Klaus farewell hoping her absence would fuel his passion for her.  No such luck!  While she was gone, he fell in love with Amy - an attractive American girl: blond, blue-eyed and busty.

“She looks like an angel,” he told Shaina upon her return.  As a lump gathered in her throat, Shaina swallowed the news gracefully.  “As long as he’s happy!” she’d rationalize.  Shaina helped him write the most romantic letters to his Amy, dreaming she was the recipient instead.  She helped him choose the right clothes, say the right words, and buy the right gifts for his ‘Angel.’

It wasn’t easy for her to let go.  It took courage to live life again; patience, to wait for the hurt to go away; and faith, to know that she’d be happy again someday. 

One crisp fall morning Klaus decided to meet Amy at her brother’s office on the lower west side.  They’d have coffee together - the perfect opportunity for Klaus to propose marriage with her brother as witness.  Klaus had never been more scared. 

He was only a few minutes away when he heard the sound of jet engines overhead - way too loud.  This seemed odd - the airport was 30 minutes away and planes never flew this low.

Before he realized what was happening, he saw the first of two airliners crash into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.  Panicked, he fell to the ground, conscious but dazed.  Nothing seemed to make sense.   Later it would register that everyone on board and hundreds more in the buildings would die.  Any chance that his sweet Amy had survived faded like a smoke-drenched sunset.

Shaina listened for weeks as Klaus agonized over his lost love.  In time, his wounds would heal; hurt became hope, pain turned to joy.  And he realized something deeper – an admiration for Shaina like never before.  Her friendship brightened his darkest days.  Her compassion filled his empty heart.  His plain-Jane Shaina had become beautiful to him.

He was falling in love with this amazing woman.  They’d do everything together – shop, visit museums, take long walks.  Life was magnificent . . . and he knew why.  I’m sure you know how this story ends.

God, You heal everything in Your time.  Thank you for friends who love us, share our pain, laugh with us in celebration, need us as we need them, hold us when words fail, and give us the freedom to be ourselves.  Bless them with health, joy, and love.  Amen.