Still Around

I know I haven't been around much lately, but I'm still lurking in the shadows. LOL Seriously, though. A typical day begins with a quick shower, sort some laundry and start a load, breakfast, make my lunch, prayers with kids (and hubby, if he hasn't left for work already), finish getting ready for work, check on the laundry again...and out the door! Then, drop off kids (and hubby, too, sometimes) and to work. After work, I pick up the kiddos, then head home to do more laundry and get supper going. At some point, I try to relax some, then off to bed. Whew. I don't know how women who work full-time do all this, but it wears me out! :o)

On a totally different note.........

Yesterday was the 8th anniversary of the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. As I was growing up, people told me over and over that those (who were alive when JFK was shot) would never forget where they were when they heard the news. I never totally understood that until September 11th.

My husband had driven from our home in Sault Ste. Marie, MI, to Springfield, Missouri, to attend a week-long class at a seminary. I was home alone with our two young sons. I took our oldest to kindergarten, then headed home to start the day's housework. I decided to turn on the morning news, just to see what was happening in the world. As soon as I turned it on, I saw the first tower of the World Trade Center burning as a reporter explained that a plane had flown into it. I placed a call to my hubby and said, "You need to turn the TV on." While we were talking, we both watched in horror as another plane flew into the second tower. A short time later, I heard the news of the crash in Pennsylvania. The TV was on for the rest of the day.

That evening, our church held a prayer service. We needed to pray, and we needed each other. My husband had me phone him when we started, and I held the phone up to a microphone, so he could pray with all of us. The next few days went by in a blur. I have never liked being parted from my husband, but that was probably the longest week of my life.

And yet, I cannot imagine what it was like for those whose loved ones were in the planes, the buildings, or part of the rescue teams. Loved ones that left for work as usual on that sunny day, never to return again. My heart still grieves for them.

I truly cannot fathom the hatred of those who masterminded the attacks. Or those that carried them through. I am thankful that I serve the God of the universe, who is a God of mercy, grace, and forgiveness. This is the God who "did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (Jn. 3:17)

May God grant healing and grace to those who have lost so much...and to those who need the "eyes of their hearts" opened to Who He truly is...