On September 11th I wasn't even aware of the changes that were happening. I was safely tucked away in remote Lake Powell, UT. My family and I returned the following day to discover that while we were gone -enjoying ourselves, relaxing - America had been turned inside out. Our peace was shattered, our sense of security, vanished. It was unprovoked and blatant. So many people lost their lives that day, and in the days that followed. Mothers lost sons, wives lost husbands, children lost parents. No one can dispute how awful it was, how completely heartbreaking. Something wonderful happened though. Our country banded together, the American Flag popped up everywhere. It felt like we were all one - in actions, feelings, and resolve to bring justice to those who had perished. Soon after, we declared war on the terrorists that had done this to us, to our people. I look back with sadness because of the many lives lost, but also because that feeling has long since faded in such a short time. It's been replaced with anger, accusations, and a division that is becoming increasingly large every day. I understand that people have different opinions and feelings. That's fine. But where is the unity we felt? Where is the desire to band together, help our fellow Americans? I get so frustrated and so sad when I hear people complain about our president, our government, accusing them of the problems of the world. Expecting THEM to make the difference. One person complains that we shouldn't continue to be in Iraq, to seek those who murdered our own. Another complains that our government didn't do enough when Hurricane Katrina hit the gulf coast. There is so much anger and accusations, when we should really remember 9/11, what happened that day and what it means, and the way we felt. We should resolve again to continue to fight for our safety and freedom. We should busy ourselves with doing all that we can to help those people who are still suffering from the damage that Katrina left behind, instead of throwing angry words at "the government". I am not trying to suggest that I am perfect. Far from it. I'm just throwing these thoughts out into the ether, and hoping that they'll hit SOMETHING, SOMEONE. No one is perfect, not me, not my husband, friend, next door neighbor, mailman, or even the President of the United States. We shouldn't hold this against them, focusing on their faults and all those things that we would like them to do to be better in our eyes. Blame and "ceaseless pinpricking" isn't going to do anything but hurt our country and it's morale. Instead I believe we should focus on the common goal - to better secure our country, and our security. To try and spread that security and freedom that every single American enjoys, to those in the world that desire it. To help our fellow men in every way we can. The hatred that is so rampant in our society today, the hatred that people believe is going to change things for the better, is going to be the thing that breaks us. I am afraid for what will happen to our beloved America, if this hatred continues.
I love my country, I am so grateful for all the wonderful opportunities that are available to me. For the things we all take for granted every day - a warm place to sleep, food and clean water, and a future that is molded only by what I desire it to be. I am so grateful for the many soldiers that are serving our country right now, here and in the rest of the world. They sacrifice so much for their country, despite the fact that so many Americans don't support their cause. They fight for what they believe in, and I am proud of them. I know not everyone shares my point of view. I just hope we can remember and realize how blessed we are to enjoy such wonderful freedoms, such comforts, and to help those who desire these things as well.
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