Reflections
Eight years ago today America witnessed the raping of their own security on home-turf. I can recall with great clarity the happenings of the day. I had a migraine headache and had laid down for just a bit. That headache to soon be all but forgotten.
My co-worker called to see if I had heard ‘the news’, that a plane had hit a major-building in New York City. I turned on TV and just sat there in stunned silence all day. I remember watching as the newscaster being astonished that a plane had hit a second building. A plane had hit the Pentagon. Reports of another downed plane in Pennsylvania but not sure if it is related. Regular programming was cancelled as America tuned in. What was happening?!
A lot has happened in eight-years:
- My husband and I bought our first house.
- I celebrated my first anniversary and many more with my husband.
- I become a mom. I had two beautiful baby boys, who are now 4 and 6.
- I’ve struggled with infertility and so very thankful for the two boys I have.
- My husband joined the Army National Guard as a 2nd Lt JAG officer with prior enlisted-Marine service.
- My step-son got his driver’s permit.
- I’ve become a sister-in-law to Jessica, Sandy, Becky and Dan.
- I’ve become an aunt four times-over to four beautiful children.
- I’ve learned the love of a garden.
- I’ve sent my children to preschool, the older to kindergarten and now 1st grade.
- My step-son started high school and went to his first formal dance.
- My dad has retired from the Air Force after 30 years of dedicated-service.
- I’ve joined a wonderful company that is all about the military and how we can support them through their community, MilitaryAvenue.com.
- I’ve become a member of my church.
- I’ve been in my first real car accident, involving one very large deer.
- I’ve said good-bye to my husband, as he left for Iraq for a year. Leaving me a single-mom and very proud Army-wife. My children wondered where their dad had gone and yet knew he was off fighting the good fight.
- I’ve welcomed him home with open-arms and an anxious heart.
- I’ve gone to Disney World with my beautiful family! Our first major vacation as a family of five.
- I’ve met new friends through wonderful support organizations like MOPS and church “small-group”.
- I’ve even become a Facebook and Twitter addict.
Some things small. Some things major. But all part of my last eight years and who I am today.
Anxiety creeps up on me when a plane flies a little lower than usual. (Our house is about 25 minutes from an airport so once in awhile we are in a flight-path.) I wonder if and when my husband will be called to Active-duty again to stand-tall during another deployment. I wonder about the future of the country for my own children and what they will see and do in the next ten, twenty years, thirty years. My fears aren’t major, nothing that affects me day-to-day. But they are a quick reminder of what life was like before 9/11/01.
I have a lot to be thankful for! Family, Friends, Freedom, Fortitude.
I ‘stole’ this video from Col K’s blog post last year at this time: Memories of 9/11/2001.
I hope you take time to reflect on these last few years and remember where you were at and where you are today. We are a great-nation. Let’s not forget where we came from and what we have been through and where we are headed… together.
– Leanne from MilitaryAvenue.com
byLeanneonFriday, September 11, 2009
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