Honoring the fallen and celebrating the birth

Tomorrow is September 11th. 5 years ago on 9/11 Jeff Simpson was killed while trying to rescue people from the World Trade Center during the terrorist attacks. A few months ago, I signed up to do a blog to honor him on the 5th anniversary of 9/11. I tried a number of times to contact his family for some unique information to write about him on the blog. I was however unsuccessful in my attempts to reach them. I thought it would be a proper honor therefore to celebrate our son's new life today in honor of his tragic death. If you would like to read more about Jeff Simpson, click here.

Along the same lines, I would be remiss if I did not mention that unfortunately Jody lost her Zadie (Grandfather) one day before Sammy was born. It was so difficult for us because the funeral was held while she was in labor. So we have not had any time to truly grieve which in itself has been tremendously difficult. How does one feel when you experience birth, possibly the greatest time in one's life at the same time as death, possibly the most challenging time in one's life? I certainly do not have the answer. To put it simply, it was very difficult for everyone. We also could not be with Jody's family during the mourning period because we were stuck in the hospital. Jody loves and respects her family so much and it just ripped her up to know that she could not be there. But we like to believe that her Zadie passed his soul onto little Sammy in some way. That his death was made possibly easier by Sammy's birth. That everyone in the family was able to experience some joy during a horrible time. We believe that everything happens for a reason. We believe that it was not a coincidence that the timing happened as it did. We decided to use her Zadie's Hebrew name as Samuel's Hebrew name. For so many years, Jody's Zadie anchored her family. And even at the hour of his death, he gave the family a lifelong anchor named Samuel. And as Samuel grows up, we will teach him as best we can to follow in the footsteps of the great man who's namesake he bears. If you would like to view or sign his online guestbook please click here.

This blog is dedicated to the heroism and legacy of Jeff Simpson, someone I never knew and to the loving memory of Zadie Alvin Allen Berger, someone I am very proud to have known.

Without further ado, introducing the newest and cutest member of the Egel Nest...
Samuel Isaac Egel!

Samuel and Me! Happy Daddy!

The former Beautiful pregnant wife...now the beautiful mother...Jody & Sammy!

Sammy all swaddled up and napping.

Samuel puckering up and giving a kiss to all the Egel Nest readers.

Our first family photo!

Sorry the blog was down for a couple of days...it should all be fixed now! Thanks for visiting and we hope you enjoy the pictures!