Thursday, September 11, 2008

Never to be Forgotten

Every year on this day I spend the morning hours of 8 to about 10 glued to the television. With a constant stream of tears running down my face I watch all the footage that the news channels broadcast of the horrific acts that we, as a nation, witnessed on that infamous day. It's my way of paying tribute to all those who lost their lives that day. It never gets any easier. I always get that same gut wrenching feeling in the pit of my stomach. Memories come flooding back to me as I remember how scary it was to know MY country was under attack. I'll never forget how horrible it was to watch all those innocent people running for their lives and seeing the look of shear terror on their smutty faces. And then watching the towers fall and imagining all of the lives being lost at that moment. I'll never forget the sinking feeling I had as I learned of the attack on the Pentagon and then of United Flight 93 going down in that Pennsylvania Field. I didn't loose a loved one on that day. I wasn't directly affected by the attacks. But my neighbors were and my heart will always grieve for them. I have a cousin and a step brother who are currently serving in our military. I pray for them to be kept safe and try to let them know when I speak with them how thankful I am to them for risking their lives to keep me and my family safe. I am so proud of them! When Jon sees one of our service men or woman out and about, he always makes a point to go up to them and personally thank them and shake their hand.It was a time of uncertainty and unrest in our free country. My daddy called a prayer meeting at Cool Springs that night and there were so many people there. We were all searching for answers and comfort that night. I remember sitting in the pew sobbing actually wondering if this was going to be one of the last times I could sit in this place safely. It was also a time of great patriotism throughout the land. Every where I looked I could see those beautiful red, white, and blue colors streaming from somewhere. I even had a little flag taped to the antenna of my car and proudly drove many a mile with it flapping in the wind. I had a flag on my front porch and a couple in my house. For weeks I would sob every time Lee Greenwood and Alan Jackson came over the radio singing their Patriotic songs which was at least once a day. Those country music station dj's are so patriotic. One out of Macon still plays the National Anthem every day at 12:00 p.m. sharp! This morning while watching my beloved FOX news, one of the commentators talked about how patriotic every one was in those days and months after 9/11. Then he brought up the fact that most people have lost that "patriotic fire" we had for our country after 9/11. He's right and I am guilty. I feel ashamed that I no longer have any American flag of any sort on my vehicle. Ashamed that I don't have one flying from my front porch or displayed in my house somewhere. I love my country greatly and am so blessed and so proud to be an American. I'm going to Wal-Mart TODAY to buy some flags and I am going to hang them proudly where I can see them every day and always be reminded. Hope you will be inspired to do the same!

We have some 40 days left until we go to the polls and vote on probably the most crucial election our nation has ever been faced with. I wont speak everything that's on my mind about the issue because since your reading my blog there is a 99.999% chance that you know what I mean and share my opinions. But I will say let us all be in constant prayer that our next president will be a praying, God-honoring, God-fearing, stable minded man who will seek God's guidance and that the PEOPLE of The United States of America will do the same.

7 comments:

the ladner family said...

wow that was so beautiful. i was teary eyed. the only thing that would've made it better would have been a pic of the twins! luv ya'll!

Dianne said...

Hey, 'Manda,

I had to look twice at the web address to make sure I had came into your "space". The content was moving. I think we all know exactly the feelings you described but you say them so wonderfully and accurately.

I remember the day President Kennedy was shot. I was in World History, 10th Grade, when the PA scratched on and the principal announced the horror. My teacher, Mrs. Walden, sat down promptly at her desk, dropped her head into her arms and wept. I'll never forget that date. I'll never forget 9/11. Our country so inhumanely violated.

You're a beautiful spirit and I'm privileged to be able to come share your life in this manner.

May God bless you and all the young men and women who love so big.

Sydney Sanders said...

wow, mannio...that was so moving. thank you for such a beautiful post! I really enjoyed reading, like always on your blog

Anonymous said...

Amanda, you have a lovely gift of written expression. This was profound, and I loved reading every word.

Nenie said...

wow,Mannio!

I too, beg God; PLEASE BLESS AMERICA!


Love Nenie.

Kelly Spezzano said...

Really great post Amanda! I was just sure down in FL that the majority of people had "forgotten" about what happened that day, but much to my suprise, just about everywhere I turned today there were flags flying a half mast!

Becky said...

Good job, manny. We needed that reminder.