This is a popup book of New York, as close as I get to experiencing the Big Apple. |
I am told that today is the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks against targets in New York and Washington, DC. This doesn't mean much to me, though it's all over the news, because as hard as I try I can't recall these or any other events from before my birth. But that doesn't mean I can't pay my respects.
There's a good amount of argument about what caused the events, the reasons for events since then, and which things have most increased our safety; but I'm not interested in talking about those things. Talking politics will never make you popular and unlike many of the most vocal activists on either side of the arguments, I'm actually willing to admit that I have no idea what I'm talking about.
So I'll talk about two things instead, things I hope we can all agree on.
What prayers I have are still with the families of the victims of these attacks because they are victims too. I pray for healing, for temperance, and for the souls of those departed too soon. Words can't express the sympathy we feel any more than words can explain your feelings of loss, confusion, anger, frustration or any of the other things you're right to feel.
Secondly, though our country usually feels pretty safe, there's no better time to make that phone call you've been putting off than right now. I know you love your parents, kids, siblings and friends, and I'm sure they know it too, but take today to let them know it personally.
Just a 5-minute call, a quick email that says you're thinking of them; or even a message on voicemail saying that you wanted to touch base and let them know you're well. It's not a big deal, but it's nice, and whether the next tragedy is as unexpected as all that or more commonplace, like a sickness or accident, you never know when you'll have your last, best chance to tell someone you care.
Above - Although the Whitehouse did not suffer direct damage, it is a national symbol. My popup book (Patrick's, actually) did not have the Pentagon, so I figured this was close enough.
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