This is way overdue, and may be a duplicate.. but my Internet access was down until Thursday, so bear with me.

Monday morning, a tired family finally arrived home in Portland, Oregon... exhausted and incredibly glad to be back safely, but filled with warm memories of those who opened their homes and hearts in time of need.

On 9-11, my friend and partner Antoinette left the office as soon as we heard that the international flights had been diverted. Her parents were flying back from Greece after a summer spent with relatives in Lebanon. With them were their two little grandchildren, Antoinette's niece and nephew. Antoinette was desperately worried about them, not knowing where they had been sent, and was almost unable to work.

Finally, sometime after midnight, she received a message from her mother. The plane had landed in St. John, Newfoundland, with no word as to when the refugees would be allowed to fly home. We knew that they were safe and being well cared for, though, and everyone felt much better.

When they finally came home, one of the first things they told their grateful relatives was, "We love those people and we will go back to visit." The Newfoundlanders were incredible. They provided food, clothing and shelter, and more. Many of the refugees were taken out to see the local sights or were taken whale-watching, and many were put up in private homes.

Thank you, dear friends in Canada, for caring for our people (and the international refugees) in their time of anxiety and grief. We won't forget this.