One of the biggest surprises to me, serving these last three plus years for the city, is how impressed I have consistently been with the people working for Provo City. Coming in my first day, I did not anticipate that. I'm grateful to work and associate with some of the best people I know, including some of the brightest and most gifted, here at the city.
My chance to be a guest host falls on an interesting day. I just returned from hearing Mayor Kaufusi speak about the events of 9/11. As she was kind to mention, I was in DC and remember looking out a window from work and seeing smoke rising from the Pentagon. A friend of ours was pulling into the Pentagon parking lot and had the impression that a plane was about to hit it. He chose to drive away. Others in our circle were not so blessed.
Today is also my son’s birthday. You may have heard he passed away in April. We recently received a letter from the recipient of his heart. It was a four-page, handwritten note from a 22-year-old (same age Josh would be) who has had heart problems his whole life and had been told that he would never leave the hospital again without a new heart. He wrote that our son’s heart is beating strong in him and that he is so grateful he gets to now experience a normal life, something he said he has never experienced before. Josh was an EMT and studying to become a firefighter. Impacting others for good was at his very core. It's almost incomprehensible how his desire to rescue and lift others was met in this powerful way.
I suppose a common tie to all the above is:
life is precious
people are what matter most.
Isaac
UPCOMING CITY EVENTS
Blue Skies Concert Series I Wednesdays through September 22
YOUR VOICE
NEWS YOU CAN USE
- A giant American flag that travels all over Utah County is set to soar over Provo's Rock Canyon this weekend. 9-11 would be a perfect time to check it out!
- Canyonlands National Park is seeking artwork inspired by the park for a virtual scrapbook project.
- The New York Times has an article about Utah's "booming economy" and our air pollution. A red-hot economy, wildfire smoke from California and the shriveling of the Great Salt Lake are making Utah’s pollution even worse, they say.
- Deseret News shared 20 of the most iconic photos from 9-11 to commemorate the reunion this weekend.
PROVO SOCIAL MEDIA
MAYOR'S WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
This week Mayor Kaufusi was able to participate and speak at the United Way Day of Caring. She was able to share her thoughts and feelings as we commemorate 9-11 and was able to share Isaac's experience working in DC when the plane crashed into the Pentagon. The Day of Caring is a wonderful opportunity to provide service to our community, and today especially, it was a wonderful way to remember those who sacrificed on 9-11, 20 years ago. Many of you participated and we are grateful for your willingness to serve! Thanks again to Kat Linford and Tara Riddle for your part in organizing this event for our city employees!FUN STUFF
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