Hello!!!! I bet you all thought I'd disappeared from the face of the Earth since it's been so long since my last blog post. I apologize for my absence. I needed to take some time to step back from the whole writing thing. As always, the wheels of the literary world turn slowly, and my frustration with it has brought me down. But I'm recharged and ready to go. Warning: this post isn't full of rainbows and sunshine, so if you're not up for it, stop reading here and come back next time. Thanks to those who hang in there with me.
On my mind today is the upcoming anniversary of 9-11. Like so many of you, I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when the news reports began. Shortly before greeting my students for the day, we learned WTC Tower One had been hit by a plane, and within minutes came the news of WTC Tower Two. None of us could understand how this happened. One of my colleagues even speculated that the planes must have collided before crashing into the buildings. We went about our morning thinking this had been a tragic accident. It wasn't until lunchtime we found out differently. That's when we heard about the Pentagon, the final plane that crashed in the field, and the devastating news this had been an attack by foreign enemies.
So many emotions flooded my brain and heart that day and the days and weeks that followed-sadness, confusion, anger, disbelief, and then oddly, pride. I watched our nation grapple to understand why. I cried for the families who lost loved ones. I wanted punishment for the guilty. I questioned my faith in government and humankind. Yet, I felt hopeful as this country came together in its grief, and my faith was somewhat restored when American patriotism soared as I'd never seen before. We put our differences and disagreements on pause and came together as "one nation under God indivisible." What a shame it took an act of terrorism to do this.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all come together like that again (minus the terrorist attack) to tackle some of the issues this great country of ours struggles with? I'd love to see people put aside their political, religious, and personal agendas and do what's right for our nation. Is this a pipe dream? Perhaps. Wishful thinking? Maybe.
Theodore Roosevelt once said, "This country will not be a good place for any of us to live unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in." His words from decades ago ring true today. I wonder what sage words of advice he'd give, were he here, for the troubles we face today. I certainly don't have the answers, and people much smarter than me don't seem to have them either. But I do know it has to start with people talking, thinking, and listening without judgment.
These three men do their part every time they put on their uniforms, report for duty, and answer the call when someone is in distress. They talk to the public, think of the best course of action, listen compassionately, and then work to solve the problem. Let their picture represent a challenge to all of us to step up and do our part as they do. Let it remind us of the patriotism we felt so strongly twenty years ago. And let it serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made and lives lost on that fateful day.# Never Forget#911
So that's it—no teasers from my novel today (it didn't seem appropriate).
I leave you with this quote to ponder.
~~~An act of kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change.~~~ Bob Kerrey
Please feel free to share this post and my website. As always, I welcome your comments and personal stories.
Until next time,
Jodi