9/11: Most times, life just doesn't make any sense

When you go through a horrific day like September 11, 2001, you can't help but ask why things like that happen.

In reality, those questions are no different than the ones we ask every day about things that affect our lives.

Why am I stuck in my current situation while the person at the next desk has moved on to great things? Why am I blessed with talent but can't seem to get a break? Why does the person with less talent rise to the top while I tread water?

There are no answers, most of the time. You just have to do your best, live your life the correct way, and hope the intangibles line up for you.

A 9/11 story that might shed some light concerns a friend of my mom's from the New York area. The woman had a son who had lifelong medical problems; one in particular sapped the man's energy to the point that it was all he could do to put in a day's work. The thing was, he couldn't work two days in a row. His body simply wouldn't allow it.

His mother asked the questions with no answers his entire life. Why my son? Why this illness?

Not fair.

Then again, life rarely is.

Her son, despite the physical struggles, managed to get a good education and get a job in the financial industry. He was fortunate in that he found a company that understood his medical problems and let him work every other day.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The company was housed in the World Trade Center.

September 11, 2001, fell on a Tuesday.

His regular day off. So he was at home.

Sometimes it takes years for things to make sense.

And sometimes, they never do.

All you can do is keep giving one hundred percent, and let life take you where it wants.