Driving home tonight from my friend’s house after the Fiesta Bowl, Darryl Worley’s “Have You Forgotten” came onto my Ipod. It was a song that had been all but forgotten, especially in these times. What seemed so pressing seven years ago, immediately after the horror and uncertainty of 9/11, has somewhat receded into the distance of many people’s memories. For some, work has taken place. For others like me, it’s school, bowl games, sports, writing, even girls. The day-to-day.
But I couldn’t forget what happened that day. sure, the political battlefields or lines or real battlefields were different now (I just saw a poll on a blog in which finding Bin Laden was the last of about nine priorities for the new president-elect Obama), but what mattered is still the same. As immersed as we are in what we’re doing, the raising of our kids, jobs, work, responsibilities, I hope we, as Americans, still remember what’s important.
I slowed my car from a quick 60 to a slow 45 mph. Then a crawling 35. Then decided to take an alternate route home so I could listen to Alan Jackson’s “Where Were You (When the world stopped turning)”. Made me remember what 9/11 really taught us. Yes, we need to defend ourselves and our country. Yes, freedom isn’t, and probably won’t ever, be free. Yes, the soldiers know what they’re fighting for, and despite what any media outlet might tell you, it’s the right thing. But more than that, it’s what makes freedom worth being free: our lives, our families, the ones we love. After those planes hit, that’s who those who were lucky enough clung to. Our loved ones. In tragedies like that, we see what really matters: our families. I hope we can all keep that in mind. And I hope our new President goes a long way not only in making friendships and building bridges with those who might someday be our allies, but also in defending freedom from those who say they never will. Because as poetic as things might have been on the campaign trail for president-elect Obama, they’ll be difficult in office. One of the main reasons I didn’t vote for the guy was because of my doubts about him as a moral leader. I sure hope he proves me wrong, and I’m behind him 100%
But this entry wasn’t supposed to be about politics. It’s about knowing what really matters. I’m so thankful for God and the wonderful family he’s blessed me with. I hope we all keep that in mind just how blessed we really are. I hope we all continue to pray for Israel and Palestine, too. Hopefully Jesus’ birthplace can oneday see peace.
