What is today?

So here it is – 9/11. You know I admit I’m wondering if I should blog about this – I know I may offend someone.

Today we do memorial things for those who lost their lives in the 9/11 attack.   It has been asked in the past – even as soon as the year after – how long should these memorials continue?

Today 9News had an article up about this vary thing.  People have mixed options and emotions about this event.    But what got me was a quote from a lady who lost her brother on this day.   The line starts out saying that she “is surprised at how many people plan outings on a day that changed her life”  then continues with her quote: “’It still boggles my mind that someone can have an event that starts on the 11th,’ she says. ‘It's just another day of business for some people.   It will never be that for me.’”

This bothers me.  Honestly- it would “boggle” my mind if she – who lost a very close family member (a twin and best friend)  would NOT do something to honor the memory of her brother on this day – weather in private or in public.   – The problem I have is she seems to think (this is how it comes across)  that everyone else needs to NOT go about their normal business on this day. – Almost a how DARE they plan events on THIS day.

Now – I’m not saying that everything should just stop.  I mean l I believe they still do things on pearl harbor day – though most of us don’t know the day (December 7th).    But the reality is --- for most people it is going to be just another day.   We aren’t going to stop celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, getting married, scheduling meetings and doctor’s appointments – just because of what happened 11 years ago.   We may participate in some other organized memorial, volunteer somewhere, give blood, or even simply observe a moment of silence, listen to the news reports and read the stories.

I also understand that to her and others that it will NOT ever be “just another day”.  That’s ok.

But this doesn’t mean everyone’s  lives need to stop on this day, every year.

To illustrate further – recently in Colorado we had a horrific shooting.   I admit – I don’t even recall the day now.  (Though I could look it up.)   Next year I’m sure the news will report on the anniversary and I will remember.   I’m also sure the people directly affected will have memorials and moments of silence.   They may do that the rest of their lives.   After all, many people remember the day their mom, dad, spouse etc died – for the rest of their lives.  Even if memory dims and pain lesions – it is natural for people to at least think about their loved one for even a little bit on that day – and that is when the person dies a more natural death.  Never mind a horrific one.   If the person’s life is cut short, killed by a drunk driver maybe, murdered like the theater bombings or 9/11, suicide or something equally shocking and unexpected – the person is more likely to grieve on that day.   It may even be hard for them to DO day to day things on that day.  But over time they at least can do day to day things the rest of the year.

However I doubt those people that lost a loved one at the theater expect the rest of us to stop and remember their pain EVERY YEAR after it happened.   And if I lost someone like that (I did lose my best friend – Dec 4th 1999 – but from a heart condition)  you can believe I wouldn’t expect the rest of the world to morn with me every year.

So I’m sorry – but today is a normal day to me.   I recalled on my way to work that that was what I was doing (driving to work) when the twin towers fell.   I will NEVER forget the impact.  But I went to work and I have bible study tonight (we will probably have a 9/11 centered prayer).   In other years I may schedule a doctor appointment or take a pet to the vet.  

Now – I am not saying to forget.  Oh no.  I don’t think we EVER should forget that a terrorist organization that hates us (and still DOES hate us) hijacked 4 of our planes and used them as weapons against us.   Just like we should NEVER forget things like pearl harbor or what happened in the holocaust.    It is important to recall things like this at the very LEAST so that they are not (easily) repeated.

One other thing.  Israel has dealt with attacks and suicide bombers for many many years before 911.  In fact – I was thinking about Israel and praying to God about the attacks weeks before 911 occurred because at the time there were quite a lot.  (but that’s another story)  And of course the attacks continue to this day.

How would YOU feel if every time you got on a bus, or went to the marketplace that you COULD be blown up?    Would you just want to stay at home and hide?   Well that’s what THEY are going through.  And I STILL say that is what COULD happen here.   It wouldn’t really be that hard!    Sure we screen sporting events and concerts and now airports.   Do we have security in subway, bus and train stations?   Why  or why not?     We certainly don’t at Safeway or the mall.

Just something to think about.