The Anniversary of 9/11: Work or Fight?

Good morning friends. On this, the anniversary of 9/11, I just wanted to say hello and wish you well. I gave some thought as to what the tone of this post would be, and felt that I couldn't say it much better than I did last year, so I have repeated that post at the bottom of this page in case you didn't see it the first time.

In light of the goings on in Syria, and President Obama's speech last night, I am going to break with my tradition of trying to keep the tone of this blog light-hearted and without voicing my opinions on matters over which I have little control (and believe me, I DO have my opinions, as my husband and children would tell you!).

The vintage photo above was likely taken during World War I in an era when our men went off to war, and we ladies stayed home to "hold down the fort", so to speak. You may need to enlarge that photo to see the detail, but the sign says "Work or Fight. We Work". I found myself wondering if the women in that picture, and other women of that era, were more forward-thinking than having had been credited for. If you saw a modern version of that picture, say, perhaps, a group of women in modern attire riding in a 2013 convertible Mustang, and holding the same sign, would they possibly be saying "Work or fight? We would rather work towards a peaceful resolution. We would rather let the United Nations assess all alternatives before running the risk of again sending our military off to fight in yet another foreign land. We would rather do what it takes to avert the possibility of another 9/11, or worse." What do you think they were saying? What are we saying now? Just some thoughts on this day.

Anyway, here is the post that I did one year ago. Thanks for stopping by, friends.

Hello friends.

I thought that this day should not be about pretty gardens, home decor, or creativity, but rather a day of reflection and thanks. We all remember where we were on that awful day 11 years ago. I remember that I was at work,  and we were all called into the conference room to watch something on TV. It seemed that a jet had accidentally crashed into one of the World Trade Center towers up in NY.  I was living and working in Florida at the time, but had grown up in New York not far from Manhattan, so I couldn't believe what had happened. I thought it must have been something like when the Empire State Building was hit by a plane many years before. We watched in horror as a second jet hit the other tower, thinking briefly that it was yet another accident, and what were the odds of that? As the truth unfolded, we accomplished little that day and worked at our jobs through a fog of shock.

Years before the events of 9/11, my Dad had worked in the City, watched those towers being built, and had worked in one of them for a period of time. I could not help but identify with those that on that morning watched their spouses going off to work and their children heading out for school, never realizing that this would be the last they would ever see them again. To this day, like so many of others, I cannot think of that time without a catch in my throat, a tear in my eye, and a loss of breath. It is the same feeling that I get when I am reminded of the Kennedy assassination, and the little boy that saluted his father as his casket went by.

I was, and still am, thankful for first responders, unsung heroes, American flags that fly everywhere, and living in a great nation that comes together when the need arises.

I hope that you and yours have peaceful day.

Sue