September 11, 2001 started out just like any other morning. My 2 1/2-year-old son, Nicholas, was playing with his toys in the family room. I was getting ready to put Matthew, my 2-month-old infant, in his bathtub when I received a call from family member and dear friend, Kathleen Byagari from Albertson, asking if I had heard from Greg. I put the television on and saw that a plane had hit Tower I of the World Trade Center. Greg's office was on the 95th floor in that building. The phone rang again and it was Greg's best friend Michael Cantatore. He heard from Greg through their text pagers. I was relieved, Greg was ok. He was with 10 other co-workers by the window. At first, I wasn't too worried, I guess because everything in our life always ended up ok. I remember innocently wondering "how could someone not see the World Trade Center and crash into it?" I just couldn't wait for Greg to come home, but as the world knows things turned bad quickly. The last page Greg sent was at 10:03; I thought maybe he had time to get out before the tower collapsed. The telephone didn't stop ringing, each time I prayed that it was Greg on the other end. I was physically ill and numb. I went to bed at some point the next morning in disbelief that Greg didn't come home. I later learned that the last page from Greg was "Fire here. Love yous." I'm left with a broken heart and shattered dreams.

My husband and I moved to New Hyde Park almost three years ago. The neighbors that I now call friends have exhibited tremendous support. The first few weeks they called or stopped in to check to see how I was; they came for visits bringing meals, pies and tomatoes from their gardens and most of all their support and friendship. On Sept. 22 all of these friends, neighbors and many more once again demonstrated their support by attending Greg's Memorial Service held at Notre Dame.

Through Kathleen Byagari, I met Joan Filippi, who works with New Hyde Park's Helping Hands Across the Community. Joan and her three children have stopped by my home several times for a visit, providing me with emotional support and donations collected from the community. Joan never failed to ask if I needed anything such as diapers or groceries. Joan also has a list of people who are willing to help me out in many different ways. The energetic mother made a few phone calls and had the Lion's Club donate a Christmas tree to my family. We also received a Christmas wreath from the Boy Scouts. Thank you for your help in trying to make this Christmas special.

Probably the most overwhelming demonstration of support occurred just a couple of days before Christmas. Joan invited the boys and me to her house for coffee. There I was able to meet her husband Guy, her brother and sister-in-law, Ed and Annie O'Connel as well as their three children. Although I have only known Joan for a couple of months and just met the rest of her family, I felt like I was hanging out with old friends. After a couple of hours of chatting, the six children presented me with a flag that they made and a gift bag filled with a collection of donations from the community. I felt so many emotions but the most prominent was that of shock. I could not believe how the community pulled together to help out a family greatly affected by Sept.11th, my family. The donations were from collections at the Jericho Fair, sales from T-shirts which were donated by Printable Concepts, and from lemonade and patriotic ribbon sales by the children on South 11th Street. Please know that I am grateful for all that you have done for me.

I was and still am so touched by the generosity of the community. Although my heart is broken because of the loss of Greg, I don't feel alone when I think of the thoughtfulness exhibited by so many people. Your support and generosity is greatly appreciated. I am truly blessed to have such caring and thoughtful people in my life. I will be sure to share all of these stories of thoughtfulness and generosity with Nicholas and Matthew when they are older. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Nicole Reda