We, as people, can be considered to have "short memories." Today, just 7 years after one of the most terrible tragedies in our nation's history, the profoundly deep pain, sorrow, and even fear that we felt at that time has somewhat lessened. This is not to say that we have totally forgotten; and I can only imagine the grieving that those who have lost loved ones still experience.
Yet, with the passage of time, how we feel today is less piercing than how we felt when it all first hit. In a way, that is good, because a person would not be able to function, if faced continually day-by-day with that crippling sorrow. (And, there might still be some who have not yet "recovered" from that experience). But, generally, it is a good thing that time heals, along with the help and support of friends, families, pastors, and counselors.
So, looking back, what would I say today, based on the perspective I've gained with the benefit of time?
Firstly, I would say that because we do have "short memories," we need to do what we can to help us remember the things that we should remember. That is why having commemorations annually on Sept 11th is useful. It causes us to stop and think back, to help us not to forget what we have learned. We need to be reminded to continue be careful, because the terrorism in the world has not gone away. We should learn from our experiences, in order to help prevent the negative parts of history from repeating itself. Also, it is important to be reminded to honor the memories of those who lost their lives.
Secondly, I remember the sense of helplessness that I felt in the direct aftermath of it all. I sought to know what I could do to help and how I should change my life. Often major tragedies help us to focus our lives on what is really important; and most of us would feel compelled to "change" because we recognize that not everything we are doing have lasting value or significant meaning. What I would say today, is that striving to live with meaning and purpose is how we should live our lives anyway. We should not wait for a tragedy to remind us to do away with anything frivolous, self-indulging, or fleeting. We were created by God for purpose, and to invest our time, resources, and energy into what will last, of which loving, serving, and helping others is a prime example.
So, on this day, I stop to remember what happened on Sept 11, 2001. I say a prayer for those who have lost loved ones and those who still struggle from the effects of that tragic day. And I gain encouragement to continue to seek how I may live my life with meaning and purpose, loving God and loving others.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
September 11th
We, as people, can be considered to have "short memories." Today, just 7 years after one of the most terrible tragedies in our nation's history, the profoundly deep pain, sorrow, and even fear that we felt at that time has somewhat lessened. This is not to say that we have totally forgotten; and I can only imagine the grieving that those who have lost loved ones still experience.
Yet, with the passage of time, how we feel today is less piercing than how we felt when it all first hit. In a way, that is good, because a person would not be able to function, if faced continually day-by-day with that crippling sorrow. (And, there might still be some who have not yet "recovered" from that experience). But, generally, it is a good thing that time heals, along with the help and support of friends, families, pastors, and counselors.
So, looking back, what would I say today, based on the perspective I've gained with the benefit of time?
Firstly, I would say that because we do have "short memories," we need to do what we can to help us remember the things that we should remember. That is why having commemorations annually on Sept 11th is useful. It causes us to stop and think back, to help us not to forget what we have learned. We need to be reminded to continue be careful, because the terrorism in the world has not gone away. We should learn from our experiences, in order to help prevent the negative parts of history from repeating itself. Also, it is important to be reminded to honor the memories of those who lost their lives.
Secondly, I remember the sense of helplessness that I felt in the direct aftermath of it all. I sought to know what I could do to help and how I should change my life. Often major tragedies help us to focus our lives on what is really important; and most of us would feel compelled to "change" because we recognize that not everything we are doing have lasting value or significant meaning. What I would say today, is that striving to live with meaning and purpose is how we should live our lives anyway. We should not wait for a tragedy to remind us to do away with anything frivolous, self-indulging, or fleeting. We were created by God for purpose, and to invest our time, resources, and energy into what will last, of which loving, serving, and helping others is a prime example.
So, on this day, I stop to remember what happened on Sept 11, 2001. I say a prayer for those who have lost loved ones and those who still struggle from the effects of that tragic day. And I gain encouragement to continue to seek how I may live my life with meaning and purpose, loving God and loving others.
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