We need hope action change

[Mid America Mom]

The shock of 9/11 is still in my mind. I still turn my head away when they play footage of the second tower being hit, pass by any TV programs about the flight that went down in PA, and skip over pictures of the gaping hole of the pentagon.

Today is a day of mourning for the world. We lost citizens and first responders and numerous immigrants and foreign nationals.

In that tragedy we pulled together. People got in their cars and drove to New York to help. Thousands of stranded flyers and crew, downed in a small town in Newfoundland, Canada, were housed and fed by perfect strangers for days. See their story here-- http://www.weloveamericans.com/divertedflights.html

The world was ONE. There was a moment of silence everywhere- even in Iran.

Now the world has a distaste for America. And the tragedy continues as we wage war. The death toll is rising for our military, our allies, civilian contractors and journalists, and then there are the dead citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan in the 100,000 range. We should mourn them all.

In Sept 2002 I was in France. It was our first experience there and I did not see the stereotypical behavior in the books and movies. Everyone was so glad to see Americans again. A few, with softness, said "we are sorry for your loss". In the shadow of the Eiffel Tower a stranger asked if I knew anyone that died. "No" I replied but then I started to softly cry.

We flew home to the states on Sept 11, 2002. Doing so I was reminded of innocence lost, of the sacrifice, and that life is just part of my soul’s journey. We deliberately booked it by saying it was the safest day to fly. All our friends and family questioned it. But looking back it was our statement- A statement that we are strong and will not bow to the hate, evil, and terror.

Let today also be our reminder of the American spirit and global citizenship. We are all ONE people.

And what America and the world needs now is

HOPE

ACTION

and CHANGE

Obama 08