September Message from Carol Jackson, Executive Director
Posted September 11, 2023
I vividly remember September 11, 2001. My husband Herman and I walked our dog that morning and returned to our house just as the first airplane hit Tower One at the World Trade Center. At the time, we lived in Denver, Colorado, and it was almost as if the world stood still. I remember sitting in my family room for the remainder of that day, glaring at every news channel that gave information about the tragedy of that day. By evening, we realized the disaster was historic; many lives were lost in multiple places, families were torn apart, and the real damage was not wholly understood until much later. Travel as we once knew it would never return – America and the world were forever changed.
Stories of many heroes emerged as time passed, and many of them are now recorded in our minds and definitely in history books, recalling that fateful day that changed America in many ways.
As I recall that fateful day, I am reminded of a dog who saved her owner’s life and maybe the lives of others. Her name is Roselle. Roselle had taken her place under her owner’s desk on that fateful day on the 78th floor of the World Trade Center Tower One when the first plane hit the tower. Her owner, Mr. Michael Hinson, a sales director who has been blind since birth, ensured his staff had begun evacuating the building. Then, he gave Roselle directions to start their descent down the 78 floors and eventually out of the building. When asked if he was ever frightened by all that was happening around him, Mr. Hinson stated, “Only a couple of times. Once, when the plane first hit the building and then as we were clearing the building because I realized the building was collapsing.” He noted that his strength came from his belief in God and his belief and knowledge of his guide dog, Roselle.
Roselle led him and others out of World Trade Center Tower One, down another flight of stairs into another building, and eventually 40 blocks away to safety at a friend’s apartment.
I am intrigued by stories like this because I am amazed by the innateness of how God’s creation works. We all have an innate ability to do the right thing. Roselle was trained to protect her blind owner. She learned to follow his directions and use her instincts to protect him when he did not know what to do. During that fateful day, she followed his instructions to get him out of the burning building, and she also used her innate ability to get him to safety when he did not know what to do. Their trust in each other saved their lives and those with them.
This story taught me that Roselle was appropriately trained and understood how to react to her owner’s directions. I also learned that, when we need assistance, we must allow those trained in the specific area of our need to support us in the journey.
At Families Matter, all of our family strengthening programs are intended to assist you in understanding your role within the family structure. Facilitators, case managers and others are trained and available to help you in different areas of family life.
Fathers, you are your family’s protector, provider, guide, and stabilizer. Are you expected to do this overarching task alone? NO! Given your relationship with God and with your family, building healthy relationships and going the distance with your children and other family members is not only possible, but extremely rewarding and fulfilling.
We have families too – and we realize the tasks we undertake sometimes are challenging but manageable when appropriate knowledge is available. For additional information on our programs, contact us at FamiliesMatterMemphis.org or call (901) 260-8520. Families matter to us! So, fathers, boys, and teenagers, we are here to support you.
Carol Jackson
Executive Director