20 Years Later
It’s now 20 years later. Do you still remember what happened on September 11, 2001? Have you forgotten what you vowed never to forget?
Where were you when the world stopped turning?
I was driving down the road delivering a bid for my employer when the news came over the radio. It was as if everything started moving in slow motion as I heard the announcement. I called my fiancé to see if he heard anything because maybe, just maybe the voice on the radio was mistaken. Much to my horror, I listened as the second tower was struck and up in flames.
It WAS the day the world stopped turning due to violence, terrorism, and an attack on the United States of America!
Twenty years later, we might have flashbacks of that day, or we might have to educate the young ones of the significance of this day. Maybe they learned about it in history class, or maybe they saw the look on their parent’s or grandparent’s faces as they re-lived the moment.
Now 20 years later, we’re dealing with emotions after President Biden pulled out of Afghanistan leaving a lot of our military equipment behind. We fear there will be another attack on the United States, some even fearing it would be today with the nation in mourning once again. Others feel it would be too predictable, though.
One thing is for sure, we all need prayer. The families and friends are still mourning the loss of their loved ones from the attack on this day, and although it has been 20 years, the hurt is no less felt than the day it all happened. At this time in 2001, I was dealing with the loss of my sister in July, only to have this act of terrorism occur two months and two days later. What a devastating time for our family and for our nation. We felt some comfort from those that rallied around us and others in their state of mourning, for our personal loss and the loss that shook the United States of America. One thing these tragedies had in common is they brought out the compassionate and caring nature of others. These tragedies allowed for more love to be shown, and this entire world needs more love!
Today, the world is more divided than ever. With controversy on both sides regarding the vaccines – whether to take it for the preventative nature it is intended for or whether it’s a conspiracy from the government – we are bickering and fighting each other over our individual beliefs. Race is also still a hot topic – with racism on both sides.
What if we brought back the love from 20 years ago? The compassion that was felt back then needs to be resurrected today. There needs to be more caring individuals and less fighting amongst each other. United we stand … divided we fall! Don’t we remember that, too?!
As the nation remembers, let us be the change we wish to see in the world …
Birthdays
Yesterday, my youngest daughter turned 17 years old. Eek!! Where has the time gone? Seriously?! It seemed like just yesterday I was begging God for my little miracle baby. He answered that prayer, and I have had the privilege of watching this six pound three oz little baby (at birth) grow into a beautiful young woman.
I remember when I was approaching the last few days of pregnancy with her. The doctor was concerned for my petite frame delivering a large baby, so he decided to schedule me for an induction. He did the same when I had my oldest daughter, so this did not came as a surprise to me. I was due the latter part of September, but here I was given a choice as to when the induction would occur. The choices were either the 8th or 9th of September, which were the days of the week he did inductions (Wednesdays & Thursdays). I remember telling my father that I wanted my baby to have her own day to celebrate her birthday. While it would be cool to have a “birthday twin,” I would not ever want my birthday to overshadow hers! She deserves her own day, and so I chose Wednesday, September 8th, as my induction day.
Arriving at the hospital with my bag, the hospital staff asked why I was smiling. I responded, “I am going to meet my baby today!” They were focused on the events that would happen prior to her birth. Meanwhile, I was more focused on the moment I would cradle my newborn in my arms. At 2:40 p.m., I knew that moment was nearing when the doctor asked if I wanted to watch my daughter’s birth. With a nod of my head, they turned the mirror, and I watched my baby come into the world at 2:44 p.m. Oh, what a glorious day!!
Fast forward 17 years, and we celebrated by taking my near adult child to eat at one of her favorite restaurants. But first … we had to make a stop by Claire’s for her second ear piercing! She has been after me for many months to let her get a second piercing. Honestly, she thought I was set against it, but that wasn’t entirely true. When she was little, she begged me to get her ears pierced, but when I did, she hardly wore the earrings. I asked her to commit to wearing earrings this time for six months, and then we would talk! (I, personally, LOVE earrings and feel naked if I leave home without them!)
She appeared confused when we arrived at the mall. I made an excuse about how I had to pick something up, and although she complained, she walked alongside me until I started to slow down in front of Claire’s. Then she knew … and a gasp of excitement escaped her lips. I told the lady what we were there for, and my daughter took her seat. She is now the proud owner of TWO ear piercings. ~grin~ She was so tickled with the thought of getting her ears pierced, and afterwards, she was taking selfies to show her friends.
We did more than just going out to dinner and getting her ears pierced, as new clothes were involved as well. Doesn’t every “girl” enjoy getting new clothes for their wardrobe? She put one item on immediately, threw her long locks over her shoulder, and strutted inside the restaurant. We took “selfies” together with the silly Snapchat filters and laughed at how ridiculous we looked in them. It was great fun! I’m glad we had this time together, and I’m glad she had HER very own day to celebrate!
I have often said SHE was one of the absolute BEST birthday presents I have ever received. For you see, her birthday is September 8th, and MY birthday is September 9th! What a gift, indeed, to be able to hold my newborn baby in my arms the very next day as I celebrated my birthday as well.
Now fast forward those 17 years, and I turned 50 years old today!! ~gasps~
Birthdays are fun, aren’t they?!
I have been enjoying a half of a century worth of precious memories, and I thank GOD for this opportunity each and every day! I recognize how TRULY blessed I am, and I pray God allows me 50 more years with my family and friends! Oh, how I pray to see my yet-to-be-conceived grandchildren grow up and look forward to my great-grandchildren as well. I’ve often said, “I want to be an old, old woman, rocking her great-great-grandchildren on my front porch.” And I still mean it today!
There is more life out there for me to live. There are places in this world I’ve yet to explore, and I want to take all the adventures I can! I want to stay active and keep pursing happiness found in the great outdoors. While my birth certificate says I’m 50 years old today, I don’t FEEL like it on the inside. I’ve been told I don’t look like it either, and for both, I am eternally grateful!
A lot of people get so depressed when they reach a milestone birthday like this. For some, they think they are “over the hill” and like there is no help for them once they hit the big 5-0. Not me, baby! I know there are people who take for granted that they have more time on this earth, and there are those who pray with all their might for more time! More time, indeed!! I am one of those people. I look forward to the adventures ahead, with my family surrounding me and accompanying me on this journey!
Here’s to 17 years … oh, do we remember 17!
And here’s to 50 years … and many, many, many more to come for us both as we enjoy our birthdays together!
I see you … 50 … and challenge you to 50 more!!
God’s Not Dead: We The People
Not too long ago, I shared the movie trailer of God’s Not Dead: We The People.
This movie will only be in theaters a limited time. We cannot encourage you enough to go see this movie October 4, 5, or 6, 2021. Please click here to get your tickets.
Our world is in turmoil, and our freedom is at stake here. This timely movie touches on the liberties we were ALL given in the Constitution of the United States of America. It will take ALL of us to stand up against those in Washington, D.C. and defend our God given rights! This powerful movie will invoke you to rise up for the cause!
I was given the honor of a pre-screening of this movie, and together, my husband I watched as forces threatened to limit, restrict and completely strip parents of their rights with THEIR children. This is a touchy subject right now, with the mask argument on both sides within the school systems. It goes further than that with the controversy over the vaccine for children 12 and over. Some argue the government is trying to take our freedoms away by mandating masks and vaccines. On the other hand, many welcome the mask and vaccine mandates that are being handed down in an effort to save lives. There are arguments on both sides for and against, but at the common core is everyone’s right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
It has been years since we’ve been in school studying the constitution, right? Maybe we all need a refresher at this time. Allow me …
The Constitution of the United States begins with three powerful words: WE THE PEOPLE. The whole meaning behind these words is simply that the government exists to serve the citizens of the United States!
Please watch this movie. Then, take action for what your heart feels passionate about!
October 4, 5, and 6th are your opportunities to see this powerful movie.
