September 11th Need Not Define Us...But Refine Us
Although every year since the attacks of 9/11 have brought us through the grieving process and helped us to reach stronger levels of healing, the ceremonies at last year's tenth anniversary seemed to move us into a truly significant realm - one where we were no longer defined by the events...but refined by them.
Making that critical transition is indeed a painful and difficult process, but it is one that will continue to serve us well, if we continue to embrace it. When we were horrifically betrayed in 2001, our political, economical, social, financial, and of course, relational foundations were pulled out from under us. Our lives were forever re-landscaped, and hundreds of thousands of citizens were sentenced to years of immeasurable heartache and loss. Most of us tried desperately to make sense out of something that did not make sense so that in the chaos of our confusion and in the prison walls of our powerlessness, we might be able to cling to some morsel of rationale or of sanity.
Each ensuing year, whether we have agreed or disagreed with the course of political action taken to right our country, we have come together on the anniversary date of 9/11 as one. While embracing, remembering, and honoring those who lost their lives in the attacks, we have continued to move forward. In quaint quiet hometowns and in massive busting cities, millions of us will once again take time on Tuesday, September 11, 2012, to take stock of the sacrifices that were made on that day (and so many days since), and we will face the challenge before us - how we choose to live our lives from this point forth is a testament to their memory and to the meaning of that unforgettable day.
During the ceremony at Ground Zero last year, the movement of the water over the memorial walls seemed to signify a new beginning. Yes, we do not ever want to forget what took place. Nor do we want to be held hostage to our past or to be defined by our betrayal.
Making that critical transition is indeed a painful and difficult process, but it is one that will continue to serve us well, if we continue to embrace it. When we were horrifically betrayed in 2001, our political, economical, social, financial, and of course, relational foundations were pulled out from under us. Our lives were forever re-landscaped, and hundreds of thousands of citizens were sentenced to years of immeasurable heartache and loss. Most of us tried desperately to make sense out of something that did not make sense so that in the chaos of our confusion and in the prison walls of our powerlessness, we might be able to cling to some morsel of rationale or of sanity.
Each ensuing year, whether we have agreed or disagreed with the course of political action taken to right our country, we have come together on the anniversary date of 9/11 as one. While embracing, remembering, and honoring those who lost their lives in the attacks, we have continued to move forward. In quaint quiet hometowns and in massive busting cities, millions of us will once again take time on Tuesday, September 11, 2012, to take stock of the sacrifices that were made on that day (and so many days since), and we will face the challenge before us - how we choose to live our lives from this point forth is a testament to their memory and to the meaning of that unforgettable day.
During the ceremony at Ground Zero last year, the movement of the water over the memorial walls seemed to signify a new beginning. Yes, we do not ever want to forget what took place. Nor do we want to be held hostage to our past or to be defined by our betrayal.
Let's be stronger because of our tragedy.
Let's be more forgiving, more compassionate, and more understanding
because to do otherwise only diminishes the past.
Let's leave all bitterness for the betrayers,
and let's allow the memories of those who have given their lives for us to shine in us and through us.
They say if something doesn't kill you, it works to make you stronger. 9-11 didn't kill American nation and it has brought an increased awareness of the designs of fanatics they have for this land. It is indeed a lasting tragedy that will continue to foster lasting strength and greater patriotism.
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