Reader TTS

So, just back from a vacation cruise celebrating her 20th wedding anniversary with Edgar's father, Griffith was in the office on that blue-sky day on September 11, 20 years ago. She was

looking forward to celebrating her 40th birthday, just a few days away. Edgar, then 24, was living in California and learned that a plane had hit the World Trade Center when she woke up.

She called her father, who was frightened and crying after talking to Griffith, who had seen the first plane hit. Edgar later learned that her mother stayed on the floor of her building,

following the instructions she was given, and helped usher out others who chose to leave. Because some employees were staying put, Griffith stayed, Edgar says. “She lived and she died in

service,” she adds. “She was a leader." After that day, even as young as she was, Edgar stepped into the role of sorting through her mother's estate and working with attorneys

connected with the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.  Those experiences, while painful, changed Edgar's professional life. She was impressed with the lawyers she worked with and

decided to go to law school — something she says had never been part of her plan. Edgar also reconnected, during that time, with a friend who would become her husband. She had known him in

middle school, and after hearing of her mother's death, he reached out to provide support. They've been married 18 years and have two children. Edgar's daughter is named for

her grandmother. “My husband was the greatest gift my mother gave me,” she says. “We wouldn't have reconnected if I hadn't lost her." And when Edgar, now 44, turned 40, it

felt momentous, because her mother never reached that age. “The lesson from all of this is that life is short,” she points out. “We have to live it as best as we can while we're

here." 'WE CAN STILL DO GOOD THINGS IN THE WORLD'