I've tried, so far, to keep this blog generally light and funny -- to throw in humor among self-deprecation and deeper emotions. But I feel it would be irreverent not to remember in complete sincerity the events that occurred eight years ago today.
During the terrorist attacks of 9/11, innocent lives were lost: lives taken by force, and lives given in service. Lives destroyed by an act so horrific we can't begin to comprehend the strength of the hatred that fueled it. What could drive a man to forfeit his life just to end another's?
I don't think that, as a nation, we can ever allow this to be forgotten. I think it's something we need to pass down to our children, their children, and our children's children. More than just a terrifying episode in history, it represents the strength and courage of the American people. Our prayers will always be with the civilians who were killed in the attacks: our brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, comrades in arms and companions at play -- may their souls rest in peace. But our proud remembrance will be with the men and women who lay down their lives for our country, who died so that we may live in freedom and security -- greater love has no one than this.
Things happen in this world -- terrible things -- that we often can't understand, nor do we want to. Most of us don't like to think back to that day, and with good reason: We don't want to be confronted with the grief and sadness it brings, that sick feeling that worms its way into our hearts saying, "How could someone do this?" And yet, as we all know, it's necessary. It's necessary to stand up once a year and say, "We won't forget you." Necessary to let people know that we are strong. Necessary to cry, to scream, to grieve, even as we pick up the stones to rebuild what was ruined. Necessary to lay aside the humor, to rip down the veils, to bring every dark thing about that day into the light, and vow to protect what's been left in our care.
God bless America.
I don't think that, as a nation, we can ever allow this to be forgotten. I think it's something we need to pass down to our children, their children, and our children's children. More than just a terrifying episode in history, it represents the strength and courage of the American people. Our prayers will always be with the civilians who were killed in the attacks: our brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, comrades in arms and companions at play -- may their souls rest in peace. But our proud remembrance will be with the men and women who lay down their lives for our country, who died so that we may live in freedom and security -- greater love has no one than this.
Things happen in this world -- terrible things -- that we often can't understand, nor do we want to. Most of us don't like to think back to that day, and with good reason: We don't want to be confronted with the grief and sadness it brings, that sick feeling that worms its way into our hearts saying, "How could someone do this?" And yet, as we all know, it's necessary. It's necessary to stand up once a year and say, "We won't forget you." Necessary to let people know that we are strong. Necessary to cry, to scream, to grieve, even as we pick up the stones to rebuild what was ruined. Necessary to lay aside the humor, to rip down the veils, to bring every dark thing about that day into the light, and vow to protect what's been left in our care.
God bless America.
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