story20768.xml

story20768.xml

born-digital

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2006-09-11

As I reflect on the past five years and the changes that that one terrible day in our history have implemented in our lives, I continue to be amazed: amazed that the hatred of one religious faction for my country could generate the violence that continues throughout the world and amazed that the spirit of American citizens continues to be strong, if sometimes unfocused.

I hate that I can no longer walk through the beautiful airport in Denver and either see my loved ones off at their gate of departure or welcome them home as they get off the plane. I hate that I have to think twice, three times for every item that I put in my purse or carry-on and recheck the acceptable carry-on items list on the TSA website. I hate that my heart jumps when the seat next to me on my flight is claimed by a man wearing a turban or a woman wearing a burka. I hate that for the first time in my life, I have to fight the temptation to prejudge a group of people solely on their ethnic and/or religious background. I hate that the seeds of hatred sown by a group named Al-Qaida have started taking root in my life, my heart, my soul.

I am amazed that the chance sighting of an American flag here in the Central American country where I am currently living and teaching can bring tears to my eyes instantly. I am amazed that so many young people volunteered, and continue to volunteer to serve in our Nation's armed forces, even as the body bags come back from Afganistan and Iraq. I am amazed in a sad way that so many people have chosen to forget the terror and the fear in the days and months following September 11, 2001, and have pointed condemning fingers toward our President and government officials. I am amazed that even with all its faults, thousands of people strive to come to this country daily, illegally, dangerously.

My life, the lives of my fellow citizens will never be the same as before that terror-filled day when planes didn't fly like planes were supposed to fly, when buildings didn't stay standing like buildings are supposed to stay, when law enforcement and fire personnel weren't able to protect and rescue like they were supposed to be able to. No, that handful of crazed radicals have changed all those comfortable pre-9/11 expectations for daily life.

But, because I am an American, I believe in the future. I believe the future can and will be better, somehow--just as my grandparents believed in America's future after World War I, the Great Depression, World War II; just as my great-great grandparents believed in America's future after a family-dividing, country-dividing Civil War; just as my colonial ancestors believed in America's future after experiencing tyranny and oppression in England, after fighting victoriously during the Revolutionary War. Because I am an American, I believe in the future that may be different but will be somehow, someway better--a future bought with the blood not only of the 3000 who perished during that one day, but with the blood of the thousands who are waging the war against terrorism in foreign lands.

Forever, God bless America and all those who love her. God bless those who give their time and their lives in service of this beautiful country, whether in elected office or volunteered military duty. God bless the children who will learn what it means to be an American. And, yes, God bless those who disagree with policies and practices and who attempt to make changes with their editorials and their stands. Finally, God bless me and help me to pull out those seeds of hate planted that day by those men who took so much away from this country; for if I hate, then they truly have victory.