FOUR YEARS ON NOW, AREN'T WE. Seems so long ago. Kate and I watched part's of HBO's documentary on 9/11 Friday night, and both felt we were able to watch the scenes with more distance than in the past.

That's a good thing, I suppose. But that distance was still sympathetic, still personal, as we recalled people we knew and places we'd enjoyed. As we relived that day on the screen.

As I have each year on this day since 2003, I'll point to my own memorial to 9/11. I started with the actual dimensions, but had to make this "taller." Simply too many names. But this year, we'll tip a glass rather than shed a tear. Raise one to this great land that we both love so much. Take in in an afternoon game. Enjoy the sun. It's great to be alive, every day.