9/11

I never publish twice in one day, but I pushed my OCD tendencies aside to honor this important day in our Country's History.

As I drove the kids to school this morning, I saw an American flag waving in my front yard. I had hoped the Boy Scouts included this day in their yearly service. It will be gone tomorrow, but I am thankful it shows my neighborhood and my family how I feel about today.

I remember exactly what happened that fateful morning, seven years ago. Damian came home from playing early morning basketball and woke me up to come watch the TV with him. It was a horrifying experience to watch those towers fall. I'd ridden to the top of one, on a trip to NYC. They were so tall that they were designed to sway in the breeze, just a fraction of an inch or so. Having been at the top, this terrorism really hit me hard. I had no idea so many people would suffer and die that day. It still overwhelms me to think about it. I took Emma to her second day of Montessori Pre-School across town, came home and worried about her safety the whole 2-3 hours she was gone. I pulled her out that day and did a C0-op Pre-School with neighborhood church ladies, from that day forward. I couldn't stomach her being too far from me.

My friend, Annie Tintle wrote how she felt that day, on her blog. I'm quoting her because she's a great writer and summed up my feelings so perfectly:

"I sat there dazed and glued to my television. I watched as those towers fell, one by one. I watched as our country came to the sick realization that we were under attack. Our land, our homes, our businesses and safety, violated. How could I, in little Moscow, Idaho feel so much fear? I couldn't bring myself to get ready for work as I sat there, staring, listening, watching. I knew Jason was only golfing, but I felt desperate for him to come home and be safe with me.

I worked at a psychology office at the time, and you won't believe what something like this does to people with severe anxiety. I remember one lady in particular coming in. We cried together. It sounds so silly now, but the day felt so dark and the loss was so great. It wasn't just the loss of life, it was the loss of our safety. Our beautiful country, home of the brave and the free, molested.
I have since heard miraculous stories of friends who escaped the tragedy of the Pentagon by moments, and families who still mourn the loss of their loved ones. As our nation turned to God, he heard our rusty prayers and sent miracles.

But how soon we forget.Today I honor those men and women who serve our country in this war of terrorism. I don't care what you think about the war, I feel pride in a country willing to try and root out the evil behind these atrocious acts. I honor families who sacrifice loved ones, women like Julie Newell, with six small boys and a wonderful husband who isn't afraid to fight for our country. Julie and Garth, you amaze me.

The war is half a world away, but there is a war. We should remember it every day. We should pray not only for the end of the war, but for victory. We must be victorious. Generations to come will be affected by the outcome of our success or failure. This isn't about bringing our soldiers home so we're not lonely, or bringing them home because wars hurt people, this is about securing our country a safe harbor in the terrifying seas ahead.

Until you've lived outside this great nation, until you've seen just how good we have it, you can't fully appreciate what those men and women are sacrificing their lives to protect. They aren't just trying to keep another 9/11 from happening, they're ensuring that our children can fearlessly ride buses to school, teenagers can hang out at malls and mother's can safely push their strollers around parks. Do not think for one moment that the evil behind 9/11 would spare our children. It would not. I am humbled to be an American. With a husband who has chosen a career of service in the United States Air Force, I am honored to join the ranks of men and women who sacrifice loved ones to serve this great country. God Bless America. May that phrase echo throughout the Heavens for centuries to come."

Thanks Annie for those beautiful words that sum up my feelings exactly! May you all reflect on this day and take a moment to be grateful.