The passage of time

Today is September 11th, and like most of the country, I am remembering where I was and how I felt 7 years ago today. David was just a year old, Rick was a work, as was my mother who works on the 30th floor of a large skyscraper uptown. I remember being glued to the television, unable to move, wondering what had happened. And then, finally when the awful conclusion of what had happened came, I knew this country would never be the same.

Looking back, I would have never imagined just 7 years later how much we are back to normal. Yes our airports are a mess, and you truly wonder if the screening process really does it's job or is it just the fact that no one is attempting to replicate that fateful day with airplanes this time. We are more irritated by this process than grateful for it. I also find it ironic that we have an opportunity to put someone in the White House whose name is similar to "Osama". How many times we heard this name, correlated it with terrorism and fear and death and all things we as Americans don't stand for. It may seem like a silly thing, but I think it is worth mentioning.

Then there are those whose lives will never be the same. Those family members who lost a loved one in the attacks, and those who have lost ones in the wars that followed. Children who will never remember their father; husbands who lost wives; mothers and fathers who lost a child. It's unthinkable the pain and suffering those families went through 7 years ago, and are still living with today all over again.

The passage of time means that bad memories are less fresh, pain is less harsh, and hopefully many good moments have come to provide distance and comfort from what was once so unbearable. My children will never know what it was like to witness September 11th. And soon, generations will follow that will mark this day, but never cringe at it's mention the way we do.

Whether you approve of our President or not, it's at least worth giving him credit that the plans he put into place have prevented anything like this from happening again on our land. I commend him for that. And it's fitting that we remember this day as election day looms ahead. What if this does happen again - who would you want in office to handle it? What if the terrorist, or someone else, goes after the President and the Vice President has to take over? Are you comfortable with the choice you are about to make? There are a lot of issues in this election, and this is one of them. It's important to remember that.

Lord, may you be with those that are suffering in remembrance today.