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Last night, after work, we turned the corner into our street and were greeted by street corner vigils.
Our neighborhood is ethnically diverse, and it was heartening to see all the colors represented out on the curbs -- and I don't mean just red, white and blue -- but the shades of pasty white, pink, beige, tan, browns, and black with waving flags and lit candles. Seeing the teens out there was especially heartening, but also bittersweet, as the young men and women who are sent to fight our wars are only a few years older.
When we got home, we put our own candles out in our corner windows and left them (safely) burning through the night.
We settled in to watch the remembrance ceremonies at the National Cathedral (a replay on CNN), grateful to be in our own home, safe and sound, as we wondered about the families in flux in NY. We were overwhelmed with the emotion, eloquence, and evocative singing of America The Beautiful to that beautiful classical guitar accompaniment. Afterward, although feeling more at peace, we were emotionally exhausted.
For those of you who have been able to follow the events, you may identify with [URL=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34012-2001Sep14.html]this article's[/URL] description of media overload. Be sure to get out for fresh air to clear out the cobwebs and take a walk to work out that built up lactic acid. And maybe look up in the sky and have a personal, quiet conversation with the Higher Power.
“If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril.” ~ Sun Tzu. The Art of War.
Are there others out there like me?
Before today, I knew zip/nada/zilch about Osama bin Laden. Words like Taliban and Jihad meant nothing to me. My abyssmal ignorance made me feel even more powerless. I didn't know what to make of all of this chaos, insanity and Dante's Hell.
I realized that I didn't know, because I didn't know anything about "them".
Thanks to the Internet and http://google.com , I just spent the last few hours getting a crash (pardon the pun) course on things Middle Eastern, trying to make sense of 9-11-01's events.
I still can't "explain" the whys, but I now know more. By reading his bio, background, personality, mindset, motivation, support system, and history, I know why Osama bin Laden is a key figure, a prime suspect. I was incredulous to learn that he was trained by our CIA...he was a CIA operative.
A particularly informative program was done by PBS Frontline...to anyone interested in learning more, here's the URL: Hunting bin Ladin
Knowledge is power...and now I'm off to learn about Quaddafi...Kadafi.. Qaddafi...that Moammar fellow. And then there's that Saddam Hussein guy.
“Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.”
American flag at Disney at half mast?
Every evening at about a half-hour before sunset, an unpublicized event happens at the Main Street Plaza, in front of the Train Depot, Disneyland,
At dusk, Disney security officers march out to the plaza, and after an announcement is made, the
This long-standing tradition will hold special significance to me, given the horrific events of September 11, 2001. I will, next time I'm in the park, make a special effort to observe this ceremony, remember those who have lost so much :crying:, and pray for them with tears in my eyes. Perhaps, you will be moved to do so, too.
To the bereft, for the pained and suffering, for the victims, for the survivors, for the children, for those who believe in the power of compassion and love over vindictiveness and hate,
Today and in the coming days, I will not allow terrorism to rob me of my freedom of thought. I will not be shackled by thoughts of revenge. Instead, like the eagle, I will fly into the storm of pain, fear and desperation by choosing thoughts of healing, hope, and love. In spite of it all.
With personal acts of love, kindness, and comfort, I will do my part to dilute the violence, anger, and judgment without mercy that energized the horrendous events of September 11, 2001. Because if I hate those who hate, they are the victors.
I will not grant them that easy victory. Rather than fueling destructive beliefs, I will act out of my certainty that goodness will prevail. It always does. In the end.
I begin here, this moment, this second:
With this American bald eagle, symbol of America and freedom everywhere, with a crumpled American flag in its clutches, ready to fly into the storm, with flag waving proudly, reminding us that we are a free -- in thought, word, and deed -- people, capable of strength with compassion and wisdom, I offer you my deepest condolences as I weep with you. I support your innate goodness.
E Pluribus Unum. -- "Out of many, one." In God We Trust.
September 9, 1951
Today is T's 50th birthday!
Started the day, counting our blesses. Then, spent the morning catching up with T, reading the first two chapters of Harry Potter, Book 4 (Goblet of Fire); it starts off very darkly...
Jay and Ed stopped by on the way to Sylvia's. Born in 1925, Ed just celebrated his 76th on 8/8.
A day of simple pleasures. Taking a walk to the lake with the dogs. Seeing our lot across the lake. A perfect cloudless blue sky. A coolness, portending fall's arrival.
Dined on the front porch in this place that I love.
A bottle of Delicato Family Vineyards 2000 Shiraz , Best of California, Gold Medal winner: "a bright garnet red wine with aromas of ripe cherries, plums and a hint of blueberry." Jammy and juicy with a spicy aroma.
We enjoyed it with Sam Choy's beef stew. Hearty and delicious. Keali'i, IZ, and Ulu serenade us. Freddy in my arms, `Oli in T's. We remember special moments with Lucky and Happy. Three years later, we still miss them dearly.
A family of five raccoons visited us at dusk. Darling faces. Fearless.
Right now, a sweet `Oli face is looking at me hopefully. "Biscuit!" And presto, there's Freddy beside her.