This morning I got a lump in my throat.
The one that comes every year on Patriots Day.
The one that I get when I open Facebook or turn on the TV
and see the images. It was the Kennedy assassination of my generation. The
imagery that takes us instantaneously back to the moment where we stood and watched it happen. The
moment we stood wide eyed and gasping for air as we realized everything would
be different.
and see the images. It was the Kennedy assassination of my generation. The
imagery that takes us instantaneously back to the moment where we stood and watched it happen. The
moment we stood wide eyed and gasping for air as we realized everything would
be different.
This year it’s hitting me different. I’m thinking about
my friends who are having to articulate the “what” and the “why” of that day to
their kids. The friends I stood by as we watched that horrific day unravel together; college sophomores worried about our dads who worked in federal buildings and flew planes. Worried about our aunts on vacation in NY. Worried about tomorrow, and not the test we had to study for. Knowing that safety and security would never have the same meaning.
my friends who are having to articulate the “what” and the “why” of that day to
their kids. The friends I stood by as we watched that horrific day unravel together; college sophomores worried about our dads who worked in federal buildings and flew planes. Worried about our aunts on vacation in NY. Worried about tomorrow, and not the test we had to study for. Knowing that safety and security would never have the same meaning.
Many of my college friends kids started school this year.
We’ve spent the last few weeks talking about back to school traditions, looking
at first day pictures and hearing about transitioning to all day school. But
today a new normal has unfurled. Some of their had to wear red, white, and blue on
a day in September and hear about a new kind of hate for the first time. And now, those moms are sitting in carpool lines preparing themselves for a different kind of after school conversation. A conversation that will expedite the conversation of diversity, hatred, and understand.
We’ve spent the last few weeks talking about back to school traditions, looking
at first day pictures and hearing about transitioning to all day school. But
today a new normal has unfurled. Some of their had to wear red, white, and blue on
a day in September and hear about a new kind of hate for the first time. And now, those moms are sitting in carpool lines preparing themselves for a different kind of after school conversation. A conversation that will expedite the conversation of diversity, hatred, and understand.
While we will never know, may we never forget.
May we never forget the lives of heroes that day. Men and
women who unselfishly gave their lives. Neighbors who loved because that was
their default mode.
women who unselfishly gave their lives. Neighbors who loved because that was
their default mode.
May we never forget the magnitude and hurt inflicted from
hate and cowardice.
hate and cowardice.
Love always wins.
Keisha – a 9/11 tribute was playing on the radio this morning on our way to school when JT – in his sweet and pure voice – asked me why I was crying. I was speechless. I didn't want to tell my children of the horror that happened on this day 14 years ago. We try so hard to shield our children from the evil things of this world. I want them to know what happened, but not live in fear or crush their innocence. May we never forget, and may we find the courage and correct words to explain what happened and empower this next generation. Thanks for sharing.
Ashlee it's always a balance. Keeping the innocence and sharing concern.
What a heart-felt tribute Keisha. Here's the Ronald Reagan quote I was telling you about yesterday: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.” Whoa.
Talya love that quote. So much truth there!