10 years later

It's hard to believe it has been 10 years since September 11, 2001.  In some ways it seems like it was so recent, and in other ways, it seems like it was a million years ago.  That moment is frozen in time for so many Americans, and for my generation, it is the defining historic event in our lives.

I was 22 years old.  I was full of dreams, many of them the ridiculous dreams of the young and naive. I was living with my Aunt Kathy, trying to save money to move to Europe to teach English as a foreign language.  I had it all planned out, but my plans didn't pan out.  The terrorist attacks on 9/11 made the world a more dangerous place, and my hopeful dreams seemed silly.  I also made some unfortunate life choices which also interfered with my plans, but that's an entirely different post.

4 states, 7 jobs, and 3 houses later here I am.  10 years older, and hopefully a bit wiser.  Unfortunately I believe the entire country got "older" that day - we moved from the naive belief that we were immune from violence on our home soil to a near paranoia that has influenced nearly every area of our lives.  However, I'm not sure that we as a country are any wiser.  Of course, that's a different post as well!

10 years ago I would never have imagined that this is where I would be in 2011 - living in my hometown with a wonderful husband and a beautiful baby boy. . . and I certainly couldn't have imagined the journey I have taken to get here.

On this September 11th I not only remember my own past. . . I remember those who died, those who valiantly rescued, and those who serve our country now.

Lamentations 3:20-23

I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
   for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.