Love Affair

How did September 11th spark a love affair? Let me tell you.....

Like so many others I will never forget where I was on September 11th, 2002 when I found out that we were under attack. I had a 7:30 am class (yes, it was very hard for me to ever make it on time or at all) at Grand Canyon University. As usual, I was running late but I had to stop and get gas before I could be on my way. I filled up my tank and then got on the freeway. Like always I turned on the radio and immediately sensed that there was something drastically different about this day. Instead of the typical weekday morning banter by two wacky deejays, there was a serious tone and I instantly knew that today was the day that would change the course of history.

Intitally, I could hardly believe what I was hearing. I couldn't begin to fathom what was happening in New York and Washington, DC. How many more hijacked planes were out there? How many more targets would there be? Could I or the people I cared about be in the line of fire? Does this mean we are going to war? This last thought was immediately followed with a "We better be going to war!" Paybacks a you-know-what, especially American payback. The bear has been roused from her den, the sleeping giant has awoken and he is pissed! I was angry too, as well as confused and scared.

Once I arrived to class, which really wasn't much of a class that day, I was glued to the television along with my teacher and other students. We watched as the twin towers collapsed (and then again and again) in utter horror and disbelief. This is when I gave my oh-so-colorful narration of what I thought should be done to those responsible for this heinous and cowardly act. This was a Christian university, so I did receive a few surprised looks that I knew such words!

I spent the rest of the day in various classes, continuing to watch the news coverage with my peers. Later that day, needing to clear my mind a bit, my friend Kirsten and I went to the mall. Neither of us, of course, was in the mood for shopping or anything else that could be considered fun. We just needed some respite. We walked through an eerily quiet mall and I noticed a large American flag draped from the the second story. I was overcome with emotion at the sight of the flag. Never before had she and all that she stood for meant so very much to me. Never before had she looked so beautiful.

That night I went home and the obsession with the news coverage continued, followed by a prayer service, followed by more news coverage. I felt so much solace from the the words that President George W. Bush spoke to the nation. Never before or since has a president offered me so much comfort.

Naturally, the story doesn't end there. The following days, weeks, and months were filled with more pain, fear, confusion, and anger by those who were victims of 9/11, or whose loved ones were, and really all of America. There was also much more media coverage and of course all the pundits gave their humble or not-so-humble opinions. In those days Americans were anxious to go to war and to exact their revenge, although many have long since forgotten that. Eventually we did go to war and the war is still waging.

The years since have been fraught with controversy. Some have questioned the war and President Bush's motives for going to war. Some have been as audacious to say that the Bush administration knew about the attacks and allowed them to occur. Yet, others have been asinine enough to imply, or actually say, that the administration caused the attacks. To that I say, "How dare you?" I'll say it again, "How dare you?" Get out this country! Go live somewhere else. True Americans don't want you here anyway! As for me, I am proud of the way George W. Bush handled the crisis of 9/11 and I will always appreciate his strength and courage, as well as the leadership he displayed during that frightful time.

So this is how my love affair began. A love affair with my country. Isn't she stunning? Isn't she just absolutely beautiful? She is also wise and full of integrity, just and gracious to those in need, brave and courageous, and most importantly she gives us the greatest gift that any could ever give. The gift of freedom. May we never forget the events of September 11th, so that we will never have the precious gift of freedom taken from us. How I love America!

Lemonade

That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. Romans 8:28 (Msg)





My sister sent me these flowers. Thanks Morgan! There were a couple of lemons in this bouquet, which I think is a nice reminder to take our lemons in life and make lemonade.

I love to take pictures of any bouquet that is given to me. This is one of those cases where "Take a picture. It'll last longer." really does make sense!