9/11 – May We Never Forget!
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Twenty years ago I was getting the kids ready for school when my husband called and told me a plane had crashed into one of the twin towers in New York City. I immediately turned the TV on, and we watched in horror as a second plane hit the second tower. In disbelief, we then watched one tower fall, and shortly thereafter, the second. I remember thinking of not only the people who were in both of those buildings, but also all the first responders who were inside and out coming to the rescue. It was one of those heart sinking moments . . .
The best thing about 9/11 was 9/12!!! A day when all differences were put aside and a tangible unity was felt all across the world! The power of prayer took on a whole new meaning! An entire nation had fallen to their knees! The war on terrorism took on a whole new meaning, when the USA took action against the evil powers who had taken up residence in Afghanistan. Operation Enduring Freedom began on October 7, 2001. We watched on TV, as the bombs rained down in Afghanistan.
One of the saddest parts of war, is that good and innocent people are also affected. As a naïve American citizen, I soon learned about new groups of people intent on destroying freedom and goodness worldwide. Before 9/11 I had never heard of the Taliban, al Qaida, ISIS, ISIS-K . . . and the list goes on. As a child I vividly remember the Vietnam War, and all that went on with that. But I still felt safe and secure here in the USA! War was something that happened in other places, but not here. I remember feeling scared and nervous for the first time in my life that war could actually happen here on American soil. It was at this time that an opportunity was presented to help us focus on something good, something we could actually do something about!
In October of 2001, President George W. Bush asked America’s children to send a dollar to the White House to help provide food and medicine to the children of Afghanistan. My eleven-year-old daughter Errin, whom we adopted from Romania as an infant, wanted to do something to help. So together we came up with the idea for a pin that she could sell, and donate the earnings to the “Afghanistan Children’s Fund”. Errin ended up donating over $4,000 from the sale of her pins!
After traveling to Romania to get her in 1991, I vowed I would never again be ungrateful for the things I’ve been so blessed with! I learned it’s not the material things that matter, it’s all about who we surround ourselves with - no matter the color of their skin, or the circumstances they live in. I witnessed firsthand people who literally had nothing, yet still found Light, Joy, Happiness and Hope while living in unbelievably difficult circumstances. We take so many things for granted here in this blessed land we live in. Electricity, running water, warm running water, heat, air-conditioning, groceries of every kind, stability, and the freedom to go and do whatever we want whenever we want to do it. Here in America, we don’t have to carry official paperwork with us wherever we go for officials to stop and detain us for no reason. The saddest part of 9/11 is how much we have forgotten in the 20 years since the towers fell. Our beloved country has become divided. But it has been refreshing to see some UNITY come back again during this 20 year anniversary! The remedy to fix our ailing nation is so simple! Just be kind, choose not to be offended, serve someone every day, be a friend, treat others with love and respect – even if our opinions are different, and be the best person we can be. As we do these things, we bring LIGHT into the world. We are all God’s children, and it’s up to us to LOVE as He does!
May we NEVER forget 9/11, and may we ALWAYS choose to LIGHT the world!
Love Ya, Les ☺