I always try to infuse and inject humor in my blog but today is a somber day where I remember what happened this day nine years ago -- the tragedy of 9/11. I dedicate this blog in memory of the day.
I will never forget an interruption in my daily routine by news of smoke and fire coming out of a skyscraper in New York; until that day, I didn't even know the towers had a name. I sat at home watching my news as I prepared my young toddler for daycare so I could go to work. It was supposed to be a day just like every other. I remember listening to the radio on the way to his daycare (only a short distance from my home) and hearing that this was believed to be a plane. Arriving at the daycare, we watched the next few minutes and witnessed another plane hit the other tower.
Shock. Awe. Disbelief. How did this happen? Why did this happen?
I drove on to my work and looking in the sky I saw a line of about 25 airplanes being diverted to the small Boise airport and then the words came on the radio - this was a terror attack. My mind thought, how could this happen? Who did this? Why did they do this?
As I arrived at work everyone was talking about what had happened and thirst to know more. Did we know someone there? We felt so disconnected not "knowing" anyone, yet "knowing" everyone.
In my car I had a small portable television. I can't even remember why I had the television but it was there. I brought the television into the office and in the back of the warehouse my office became the hub. We had the television on without stop throughout the day. Shortly after connecting the television, we realized there was another plane down at the Pentagon and a fourth flight in Pennsylvania was possibly related to the same terrorist attack.
For days I waited to see who would be rescued. I went through all the names looking to see who was missing and if they had been found. The devastation and loss or missing life consumed me and my heart ached.
I often tell people I feel disconnected being in Idaho, and I do. I don't know firsthand what things feel like, I wasn't there. But, I do know what I felt seeing this from so far away on a small 13 inch television and feeling so helpless.
Despite this tragic, horrific event, I saw a nation come together; I saw a world come together; I saw religious tolerance; I saw strength.
I will never forget how I felt. Shock. Awe. Disbelief.
I will never forget the images I saw. Destruction. Fallen Towers. The Flag.
I will never forget listening to voicemails saying goodbye. I Love You.
I will never forget the victims who lost their life. 2977.
I will never forget everyone was affected. Christians. Atheists. Buddhist. Muslim.
I will never forget the survivors who are trying to get on with their lives. Moms. Dads. Kids.
I will never forget. You.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
The life of the Rich and Famous...
Today's guest are Rich and Famous. Unfortunately, I haven't met them yet! My kids, on the other hand, think my husband's name is Rich and mine is Famous. I like to think of us as Poor and Unpopular--let me explain why.
Poor
If this isn't my husband's first name, it is certainly his middle name. He is the poor soul who has to put up with being the taxi driver, going to football games, doing laundry, cleaning the house, playing fetch with the dog, yelling at the kids and putting up with me. In the literal sense, he works all day, goes to school in the evening and periodically gets to harvests his crops on Frontierville but spends all his "real" money on car insurance for the teenager, food for the teenagers, clothing for the teenagers, school supplies for the teenagers, internet service for the teenagers, cellphones for the teenagers, makeup for the teenager (notice not plural!), and all medical services for the teenagers.
Famous
Admittedly, I have false illusions of grandeur where I'm famous, everyone loves me, and everyone wants to be me. Then I get smacked in the forehead with reality and I hear my kids whine, cry, and pout because a privilege has been taken away -- the drama that comes with being mean. When asked what I actually do at my job, I explained to my stepson about the excitement and joy I feel about executing corporate compliance (somebody has to enjoy reading and interpreting the federal regulations and that would be me!). His muttered comment was, "Oh, so you do the same thing at work that you do at home." I suppose you could say, I make unpopular decisions--even though I love the decisions.
So, I didn't marry Rich and I'm not Famous. I may be Poor and Unpopular but I'm also Ecstatic and Happy to be ME!
Poor
If this isn't my husband's first name, it is certainly his middle name. He is the poor soul who has to put up with being the taxi driver, going to football games, doing laundry, cleaning the house, playing fetch with the dog, yelling at the kids and putting up with me. In the literal sense, he works all day, goes to school in the evening and periodically gets to harvests his crops on Frontierville but spends all his "real" money on car insurance for the teenager, food for the teenagers, clothing for the teenagers, school supplies for the teenagers, internet service for the teenagers, cellphones for the teenagers, makeup for the teenager (notice not plural!), and all medical services for the teenagers.
Famous
Admittedly, I have false illusions of grandeur where I'm famous, everyone loves me, and everyone wants to be me. Then I get smacked in the forehead with reality and I hear my kids whine, cry, and pout because a privilege has been taken away -- the drama that comes with being mean. When asked what I actually do at my job, I explained to my stepson about the excitement and joy I feel about executing corporate compliance (somebody has to enjoy reading and interpreting the federal regulations and that would be me!). His muttered comment was, "Oh, so you do the same thing at work that you do at home." I suppose you could say, I make unpopular decisions--even though I love the decisions.
So, I didn't marry Rich and I'm not Famous. I may be Poor and Unpopular but I'm also Ecstatic and Happy to be ME!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
When I grow up...
Some days I think I know everything. Other days, the evidence of knowledge is quite contrary to my individual perception -- in other words, I'm wrong. Oddly, I find peace in knowing I don't know everything (just don't tell the kids, they tend to think I'm smart).
My epiphany came when I explained my thought process to my dear friend and she patiently listened to my whining. At the end of my tirade, she told me that I might get upset at reading her message telling me that I was wrong. Upset? Anger? Really? I don't think so, she knows me too well and I can only applaud her insight.
I've decided when I grow up, I want to be smart and know everything that I thought I knew but I just never got around to learning.
My epiphany came when I explained my thought process to my dear friend and she patiently listened to my whining. At the end of my tirade, she told me that I might get upset at reading her message telling me that I was wrong. Upset? Anger? Really? I don't think so, she knows me too well and I can only applaud her insight.
I've decided when I grow up, I want to be smart and know everything that I thought I knew but I just never got around to learning.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
So tired of the opinionated political "FW" emails...
I am a closet democrat who used to be a republican but I am really probably an independent. I just don't broadcast the fact. My biggest pet peeve? Sending me a FW email about political views (whether they mirror mine or not) and telling me I need to forward it on to everyone I know to bring power back to the American people.
Right, wrong, or indifferent, I'm going to explain my views--but please don't copy and paste and forward this on to five million people and tell them they have to send it to their mother, father, sister, brother, children, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, and cousins twice removed.
Immigration
I get border control. I support border control. I find emails telling me we have to kill Mexicans before they cross the border illegally distasteful and, quite frankly, wonder about a person's mentality whenever a person's life is considered insignificant. I guess the person who is somebody else's child, parent, or sibling is just worthless.
Health Care
I pay my health care premiums. I pay my co-pays. I pay my deductible. I have a child with special needs and have him covered under my insurance, his step dad's insurance, and Medicaid. I do not abuse the system but I just cannot afford everything he needs. I take him to his appointments, I know when his medication is running out and I plan. I am fortunate to work for a company that offers insurance. I guess my neighbor across the street with a son who does not have insurance is unworthy and must have her family go without in order to receive the same services. I believe everyone deserves affordable health care.
Gay Rights
I believe in God. I believe God created everyone and everything. I believe God loves everyone. I believe God does not create junk. Blast me for having the views I have but gay people (my apologies if that is not the correct term) should have the same rights I have. I am not gay, nor do I live with anyone gay. I don't even know if I know anyone gay but by God, they should have the same rights that I have. Is it really going to hurt someone if they get married? Seriously?
Muslims and the Mosque
My heart broke on 9/11. I watched the television and cried with America. I detest what happened but am highly offended that "Muslims" are all lumped together in one bucket and everyone of this faith is considered "evil" and should be exterminated. The last time I checked, God created everyone (at least my God did). I guess that means my God created the Muslims, too. I did not have anyone, nor did I know anyone who lost their life in the terror attacks of 9/11. America was able to build a memorial at the site yet the nation is still riddled with fear because a religion is portrayed as violent wants to build a mosque for their place of worship. Get over it, embrace, move on. If the mosque offends you, then don't visit it.
Obama
I voted for him. I'm probably only one of the 48% of Americans who still like him, but I do. I voted for Obama because of what he wanted to do for health care. I voted for him because of how he made me feel -- Proud to be an American. I voted for him because I thought McCain and Palin were pretty old and pretty lame (although she could see Russia from her doorstep). I voted for Obama because I wanted change. I think change can occur but that too many people are focused on a fictitious birth certificate and whether Obama is a Christian, Muslim, or atheist. I thought he was American but apparently only Christians are Americans.
So, until you can send me your words and your thoughts, quit sending me someone else's thoughts. I don't care that all Marines are passing around an email about Muslims not being American or that Obama is an atheist. I care about me, my family, and your thoughts.
Don't send me an email what someone else thinks, write your own damn words.
Right, wrong, or indifferent, I'm going to explain my views--but please don't copy and paste and forward this on to five million people and tell them they have to send it to their mother, father, sister, brother, children, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, and cousins twice removed.
Immigration
I get border control. I support border control. I find emails telling me we have to kill Mexicans before they cross the border illegally distasteful and, quite frankly, wonder about a person's mentality whenever a person's life is considered insignificant. I guess the person who is somebody else's child, parent, or sibling is just worthless.
Health Care
I pay my health care premiums. I pay my co-pays. I pay my deductible. I have a child with special needs and have him covered under my insurance, his step dad's insurance, and Medicaid. I do not abuse the system but I just cannot afford everything he needs. I take him to his appointments, I know when his medication is running out and I plan. I am fortunate to work for a company that offers insurance. I guess my neighbor across the street with a son who does not have insurance is unworthy and must have her family go without in order to receive the same services. I believe everyone deserves affordable health care.
Gay Rights
I believe in God. I believe God created everyone and everything. I believe God loves everyone. I believe God does not create junk. Blast me for having the views I have but gay people (my apologies if that is not the correct term) should have the same rights I have. I am not gay, nor do I live with anyone gay. I don't even know if I know anyone gay but by God, they should have the same rights that I have. Is it really going to hurt someone if they get married? Seriously?
Muslims and the Mosque
My heart broke on 9/11. I watched the television and cried with America. I detest what happened but am highly offended that "Muslims" are all lumped together in one bucket and everyone of this faith is considered "evil" and should be exterminated. The last time I checked, God created everyone (at least my God did). I guess that means my God created the Muslims, too. I did not have anyone, nor did I know anyone who lost their life in the terror attacks of 9/11. America was able to build a memorial at the site yet the nation is still riddled with fear because a religion is portrayed as violent wants to build a mosque for their place of worship. Get over it, embrace, move on. If the mosque offends you, then don't visit it.
Obama
I voted for him. I'm probably only one of the 48% of Americans who still like him, but I do. I voted for Obama because of what he wanted to do for health care. I voted for him because of how he made me feel -- Proud to be an American. I voted for him because I thought McCain and Palin were pretty old and pretty lame (although she could see Russia from her doorstep). I voted for Obama because I wanted change. I think change can occur but that too many people are focused on a fictitious birth certificate and whether Obama is a Christian, Muslim, or atheist. I thought he was American but apparently only Christians are Americans.
So, until you can send me your words and your thoughts, quit sending me someone else's thoughts. I don't care that all Marines are passing around an email about Muslims not being American or that Obama is an atheist. I care about me, my family, and your thoughts.
Don't send me an email what someone else thinks, write your own damn words.
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