Today has special meaning today because today, 8 years ago, was the day I knew that I wanted to marry my husband, but that realization came with a price.
8 years ago today I was teaching at the Utah Deaf and Blind Preschool and the teachers and I were listening to the radio. The things we were hearing were the saddest things I have ever heard. Airplanes crashing, people jumping out of burning buildings, people missing, firefighters going in and not coming out, families crying, rumors of more planes... and while I was thinking that our peaceful America is no longer peaceful and knowing that I could easily go and live with my mom or dad in Mexico if I needed to. I also had the thought of B (one of my boyfriends at the time... loooong story) being drafted into the armed forces because he was going to be forced to go to war. (A tad dramatic, don't you think?) But as I was tearing up for those people having to give up their lives, I was also tearing up because I knew that I couldn't live without B. Bam! I knew I loved him and that I wanted him apart of my life.
It's an eye opening experience to know that we are so vulnerable and that there really are people that HATE America. It's sad. Ultimately, we are all on the same team. We might have different jerseys on, but we play for the same coach. Sorry for the shrewd analogy, but I feel it necessary to dwell on the fact that there are people out there that have no sense of dignity or humanity for that manner that are willing to follow through with such a voracious act. . . again and again. We are ALL under GOD.
And then I hear people complaining sooo much about America. Do we even know what we have here? Yes, I believe in being able to make America better and making our voices heard, but I also believe in giving credit where credit is due. We have FREEDOMS because of America. We have INALIENABLE RIGHTS because of America. We have SOOO MUCH becuase of America.
The hatred has to stop. Harboring and allowing these acts to continue without consequences has got to stop as well. Will it? No. But we can never stop trying.
8 years ago today I was teaching at the Utah Deaf and Blind Preschool and the teachers and I were listening to the radio. The things we were hearing were the saddest things I have ever heard. Airplanes crashing, people jumping out of burning buildings, people missing, firefighters going in and not coming out, families crying, rumors of more planes... and while I was thinking that our peaceful America is no longer peaceful and knowing that I could easily go and live with my mom or dad in Mexico if I needed to. I also had the thought of B (one of my boyfriends at the time... loooong story) being drafted into the armed forces because he was going to be forced to go to war. (A tad dramatic, don't you think?) But as I was tearing up for those people having to give up their lives, I was also tearing up because I knew that I couldn't live without B. Bam! I knew I loved him and that I wanted him apart of my life.
It's an eye opening experience to know that we are so vulnerable and that there really are people that HATE America. It's sad. Ultimately, we are all on the same team. We might have different jerseys on, but we play for the same coach. Sorry for the shrewd analogy, but I feel it necessary to dwell on the fact that there are people out there that have no sense of dignity or humanity for that manner that are willing to follow through with such a voracious act. . . again and again. We are ALL under GOD.
And then I hear people complaining sooo much about America. Do we even know what we have here? Yes, I believe in being able to make America better and making our voices heard, but I also believe in giving credit where credit is due. We have FREEDOMS because of America. We have INALIENABLE RIGHTS because of America. We have SOOO MUCH becuase of America.
The hatred has to stop. Harboring and allowing these acts to continue without consequences has got to stop as well. Will it? No. But we can never stop trying.
Thank you for your post. I think it is awesome that you have a story like that about realizing you were in love too. Its funny how things like that make us realize what is truly important to us.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I think about September 11th I get goosebumps. I was a freshman at BYU. (Actually, I had a calculus class with B and Tyler Barnes that semester.) I remember the shock and confusion as the information came in bits and pieces. Being from back east, I knew quite a few people who worked in the towers. Luckily they all survived, but those were some stressful hours until I had confirmation they were alright. It puts your life into perspective and allows you to count your blessings.
ReplyDeleteAnd now look what the two of you have become!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post. I loved the part about when you knew you loved B. That was so sweet. I remember that day so vividly. It really put life into perspective!
ReplyDeleteI'm actually commenting on the post below, but know that you'll probably not see it if I attach it to the past one... anyway, Shilo's and my hair cutting stories sound similar to your daughters. Shilo took one snip and started crying, and I was having a grand ol' time chopping away... only at the front where I could reach, affectively giving myself a nice mullet! I guess I wanted to be trendy! :) That's so funny! I loved the story about Maleia missing Brandon! Ashlyn is quite the Daddy's little girl already; I wonder if that's what I have to look forward to! :)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, my father-in-law bought the "Me, Mini Me" shirts from the WHAT ON EARTH catalog. You can look it up online, too. Hopefully you can find them there. Enjoy!
ReplyDelete