Gratitude Day 98

Today I am grateful for WE

Nineteen years ago today

The world as I know it was forever changed

An act of terror in far-away cities

impacted my soul,

my family,

my friends,

had far-reaching consequences

in our lives from that day on.

On that day,

anxiety prevailed,

we no longer felt safe,

and my 17 year old son

made the decision

to enlist in the military.

Others lost family and friends.

Many lost innocence and ignorance, but gained compassion and unanimity.

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I understand that acts of terrorism occur on a daily basis throughout the world,

however, until 9/11/2001 they were news stories.

Call it naivety, being insulated, a false sense of security, whatever you wish,

but until it’s personal, deep understanding is difficult.

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After 9/11/2001, nothing was the same in the United States of America.

But some things were better, for awhile.

For awhile there was a sense of

in-this-together,

pride for country,

community,

love,

compassion,

willingness to help,

the people of the United States were resolute and more importantly, united.

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Unfortunately, that no longer seems to be the case.

Today, in New York City in this time of covid there are two remembrance services. One run by politicians that is not allowing that family members to read their loved ones names, and another a block away by the Tunnels to Towers Foundation where families are reading the names in remembrance.

Today, The United States as a whole is no longer United.

People forget that this great country was founded on the principles of

” WE THE PEOPLE of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

— Preamble, US Constitution

“WE THE PEOPLE” does not say “ME”

The US Constitution does not differentiate between race, color, creed, sexual orientation, religion, or political stance.

It states

“WE THE PEOPLE”

The United States of America and the entire world would be a better place if we all thought in terms of “WE” instead of “ME”.

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Never forget.

Never forget.

XO Lisa