Like most Americans, I find it
difficult to talk about the events of September 11, 2001. It always stuns me
that so many years have passed. Yet, when I watch a news report or read
tributes, it seems like it just happened. It's a beautiful sunny day here in
Columbia, just as it was that gut wrenching morning 14 years ago. We’ve never
really had a chance to heal as a nation and as a people because the terrorism
continues, the American soldiers keep coming home for burial or facing lifetimes of brutal injuries, both physical and
mental. We civilians have to live with the seemingly constant threat of what
will be tried next. We're doing a better job of getting on with our lives. (I
just knocked on wood.) We constantly search for ways to honor the men and women
who serve so bravely to protect us. Being a patriot is very popular and I might
add that it should not be political.
I am a "flag girl." I love
that American stars and stripes. I have one very tall flag pole in our yard and
fly a big flag almost year round. I have a flag for special days that I fly off
our deck. I know how to properly fold a flag. My Daddy taught me how a very
long time ago. Flying the flag is a great way to teach your grandchildren about
history. They want to know why you are flying it on certain days and eventually
they start remembering and remind you to do it. It's rewarding and brings me to
the very first thought that I had this morning when I woke up, knowing that it
is September 11.
On that day, my son,
Christopher and I had big plans. The plans were put on hold for a few hours. He
came to our home and tried to comfort me. He was upset too but we both knew
that we needed to leave the house and stop watching the TV for a few hours. We
went to lunch but the grief was everywhere. So we decided to do what we were
supposed to do. This morning I remembered that today was the day Christopher
was going to paint the nursery for our precious Anna! She was due in January. I
was going to stencil clouds and butterflies all around the top of the walls.
His first child and our first grandchild. So we did just that. It has been the
nursery for Anna, Brooke and Jack. Two years ago, Anna and Brooke changed the
room and it was painted hot pink, fluorescent green and turquoise! Very girly
and wonderful. Up in one corner of their room is a strip that wasn't painted. Its
fluffy clouds and butterflies stenciled on their wall. You see, they didn't
want to forget what I did that day to their room. Just like we don't want to
forget what happened to our country and the people who died that sunny day in
New York, Washington D.C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
It's nice to think about white clouds and butterflies on the morning of
September 11. As a matter of fact, it's a blessing. It gives me hope. It brings
me peace.
God Bless America, Land
that I Love.
Sandra Carr Neely
09/11/2015
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