Today I will tell my children about the day our world changed. I will tell them about the seemingly normal day that quickly turned tragic. I will tell them about the ashes that fell from the sky, and the heroes who ran in.
Today I will tell my children about the families who are living without their loved ones. The Fathers, Mothers, Brothers, Sisters, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins who were lost that day.
I will recount where I was when I first heard the news. I will tell them about how I felt as if the rug had been pulled out from under my feet. My brain couldn’t even comprehend what I was hearing.
I will tell them about the brave souls who brought down that plane in Pennsylvania. I will show them pictures of the men and women who rushed in to find those who had fallen in the towers. I will teach them about the bravery, selflessness, and good will that was extended that day and for years after.
I want them to understand how very good people can be in the face of such tremendous adversity and tragedy. I want them to know that no matter how evil this world seems, there will always be more good – they can be that good.
I will tell them these things to help them gain a greater respect for the sacrifices made. To help them understand our world just a little bit better. I will shelter them from many images, I will protect them from the nightmares that would follow.
Today I will pray for those families who are remembering their loved ones and missing them so deeply.
Today I will remember because really, I can’t ever forget.
Amen! I will teach them to forgive, but never forget because forgiving makes us free. I will teach them that evil is persistent, but that love will prevail. I will teach them that God allows evil so that His judgments will be just and that He will punish those who commit it. I will teach them that we live in a country of freedom because of many others in many wars (cold and hot) gave their lives to protect us from those who would dictate to us how we would live. I will teach them to love their neighbor and their enemy and still protect themselves against those who would strip us of our right to choose and live with the consequences. No I can never forget either and we must do all we can to protect ourselves from evil, individually, as a nation and as a world.