Light one candle to achieve balance after tragedies

As we struggle to find our balance after the terrible events of Sept. 11, I want to extend my condolences and sympathy to all our members and friends who may have been personally affected by this tragedy.

All of us are thinking of those who have been injured in the attacks, the heroic people who are trying to save anyone who can be rescued, and the relatives of those victims who have died. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

One day, during the long process of writing the United States Constitution, an eclipse of the sun occurred. The delegates in the convention panicked, since at that time the darkness was thought to signal the end of the world.

One delegate however, responded in this way: "If this is the end of the world, I wish to be found by my Maker doing my duty. If this is not the end of the world, I should continue to do my duty. Therefore, let candles be brought, that our work may continue."

This is my wish for us all. Let candles be brought, that we may continue to do our duty, which is to live the ideals of this country. And may we all have the courage and perseverance to work for the light and to overcome the darkness of hatred and violence.

Let us not take our anger out against members of the community whom we may perceive to be connected to this tragedy by either their national origin or their religion.

I work with people from all cultural, racial and religious backgrounds on a daily basis and have been embraced by Arab and Muslim colleagues, friends and neighbors.

They are grieving with us. Let us live by the highest moral and ethical standards and not stoop to the level of emotional terrorism against our fellow citizens.

The borough of Red Bank in conjunction with Red Bank RiverCenter will soon be announcing plans for a fund-raiser. We look forward to joining hands with members of the entire community to raise a substantial amount of money to help the victims of this tragedy.

"It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness," Christophers.

Ingeborg Perndofer

Red Bank RiverCenter chairperson