Remember 9/11

Eight years ago, I was making breakfast for Gabriel. Xavier was playing in his walker, racing around, slamming into cabinets, tables, walls, and ankles. Gary called. He told me to turn on the tv. He worked at a t.v. store. He saw everything. At first, I didn't understand what I was seeing. Then, the second plane hit. I was in total shock. I think that I still am. I could not believe what was happening. I called my mom. My parents came over. We spent all day in front of the t.v. trying to figure out what was going on, crying. We spent weeks crying. Gary left work that day and drove to his "other" work. There, he got marching orders for his first deployment. The next day, he was on his way to work as backfill at a base about two hours away. It was not his ideal assignment. He wanted to be on the planes headed for Afghanistan. Some wives might not have understood his sentiment. I did. If I had not had children, I would have been in the recruiter's office, reenlisting. But, I had to do my part, keeping the home fires burning. Sometimes, I think that's the harder part, the waiting and watching, while all the time wishing you could be out there with them.

It just doesn't seem that long ago to me. My life has continued. My children have grown. I have not lost anyone close to me in the wars being fought.

But, I have grieved for those who have. I have agonized over my husband's grief as his friends have died. I have watched my husband put on his dress blues over and over again to attend the funerals of men who gave their all. I have watched my husband walk on a plane to go to war, and honestly never expect to see him again. I have watched my children deal with the fear of never seeing their father again. I have rejoiced when my husband returned to me whole, all the while know that it is a temporary thing, that he will leave again. I have stood proud, knowing that my husband is doing everything he can to protect us from another terror attack.

Today, we live in a country that has forgotten the terror and grief that came to us eight years ago. We live in a country that is willing to negotiate with a country that produces terrorists, supports them openly, and has no intention of giving up their nuclear plans. We live in a country that blames itself for the attacks. We live in a country that is so arrogant as to believe that WE are the world's problem. We live in a country that is so arrogant as to believe that if we would just leave everyone alone, they would leave us alone.

It is not about us, people. It is about them. It is a religion. The only way we could make our country acceptable would be to make the entire country Muslim. I'm not willing. I'm willing to continue fearing for my husband's life, and grieving for those who sacrifice their lives for my children's sake.

Never forget. Never give in.


H/T TRO for the video.