Remembering 9.11.2001

September 11, 2001, I was in my first month of 10th grade at McIntosh High School in Peachtree City, GA. People were getting calls and texts from their parents, but the teachers and principals wouldn't say anything. We finally found a teacher that would give us minimal information, but I really didn't know what was going on until I got home from school that day. I remember going home and seeing my dad in shock and the tv was on. My dad said to us, "This is going to change your life. Its going to change all of our lives." And those words are still true today.

After 9/11, America changed. People were angry, but they were supportive of each other. People were patriotic and flew flags and joined the military. Security processes changed, not only at the airport, but everywhere. Airport security is still changing and probably will continue to do so. Racial profiling has become a way of life for some security officers while others refuse to even look at certain races for fear of being called "racist." If a security officer is being extra thorough, it can be irritating to those of us who are impatient, but I am thankful for them.

Its 10 years later and I do think people have forgotten what America went through on that September day. I know 10 years is a big deal, but really every year should be a day of remembrance for 9/11. I don't remember anyone on the news or radio mentioning the anniversary any other year. This year, there is some special on that day on every channel. I've watched several of the specials. They are interesting but just so sad. I'll admit, I knew the basics of that day, but I don't think I really comprehended the actual severity of it.

There were more than 2000 deaths that day, more than 3000 kids lost their parents. Many more first responders had died of cancer in the past 10 years. While its too early to tell if the cancer was caused by breathing in the toxins and dust from the rubble, I believe it has something to do with it. As Americans, we should be thankful for those who lost their lives to save others. We should be thankful to the firefighters, EMS, police, and regular people who stayed behind in those towers to help others escape. We should be thankful to the regular people on the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania because they took charge. And we should be thankful for those who fight for our freedom every single day.

I'm thankful and I'm proud to be an American. I'm taking a moment today to remember those lost and those who were left behind. And I'm going to try and make it a point to continue remembering, everyday.

Thankful Thursday

Since I keep missing "What I'm Loving Wednesday," I decided to do a "Thankful Thursday." I always try to think about the things I'm thankful for. In my line of work, I am thankful everyday that I have had a pretty good life and childhood. I've been through losses and tough times, but nothing like what I see every day. So that's my first thing I'm thankful for!

I'm thankful that in 23 days, I am moving into a great little house with my best friend! The house is great and I can't wait to get in there and start decorating! Here we are when I graduated from college:

I'm also thankful that my vet's office still has heartworm medication for Cooper. I heard on the news that the only manufacturer that makes the medication for the United States has temporarily shut down. Vets all over the country are out of the medication. I've seen those heart breaking commercials about dogs that get heartworm and have to be isolated and injected with poisons and even still may not survive. I would hate it if that happened to this little guy:

I'm thankful that I just got to talk my baby brother, Sean for almost 30 minutes on the phone. Usually its about 5 minutes and he is distracted by the tv or computer, but this time was different. We talked about school, Cub Scouts, piano lessons, etc. I even got to say his bedtime prayers with him over the phone...so cute!! 

I'm thankful this work-week is over! Tomorrow, we have a furlough day and Monday is a holiday. I definitely deserve this 4 day weekend! I am on call until Monday morning at 7:00 AM but let's hope I have a very quiet phone :)

I'm thankful that I have confidence in prayer. If I didn't believe in prayer, I think my life would be miserable! I saw a church sign this week that said "Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil - it has no point!" It seems so simple and it is a great play on words. So I'm just thankful for my faith.

I have a million things to be thankful for, but these are my top things right now. Hope everyone has a good holiday weekend!