I remember it like it was yesterday: sitting in my 2nd grade class, teachers hurriedly gather in the hallway, trying but failing to cover their frantic faces. Chaos ensues. Feelings of fear and confusion envelop me.
Seven years old. Naïve. Unaware.
“Something bad has happened,” my teacher attempts to explain. “I think it would be best if you ask your parents to tell you once you're home.” My fellow classmates slowly disappear before my eyes as concerned parents sweep in to bring their children home for the day.
Everywhere I turn, I see unfamiliar emotions in mass quantities. My young mind has trouble discerning why everyone seems so upset. On that day, I tried so hard to understand, but I couldn’t. Today as I think back, I fully understand, but I wish I didn’t. Everything in me wishes I could go back to that place. Frazzled, but unstained by magnitude of the situation. Untouched by reality.
Today, I grieve with those who gave their lives to the fight for freedom, whether willingly or unwillingly. Your sacrifice was not in vain. Though words hardly do the price you paid justice, I want to thank you.
To the fallen heroes and their loved ones:
Part of me wishes I could feel even a portion of what you felt, that even a small glimpse of your pain would be tangible to me. I wish I knew on a realistic level what it was like, simply because I know my imagination cannot begin generate the vast pool of emotions you felt. I cannot begin to explain the amount of gratitude I feel in comparison to the thankfulness I would feel had I been there first-hand.
To those who were in that burning building, praying with everything in you that God would keep your family safe once you were away, I take that burden for your family today. I believe your inheritance is rich, your family will be blessed and that you will always remain their guardian angel. We will stand alongside them, remembering you. Thank you for your bravery. Your legacy lives on.
To those who were on the front lines of the battle for our freedom, watching as the enemy approached, scared out of your mind but confident your sacrifice was worth the fight, I want to say thank you. Thank you for your willingness to be difference-makers for our nation. Thank you for declaring that freedom is worth fighting for.
To those who waited for their loved ones from the sidelines, wondering if or when they would come home, I give you my upmost respect. Thank you for pressing through the pain. You too are my heroes.
No matter your emotions, no matter your regret, and no matter your darkest moments through the ups and down of your journey as an advocate for freedom, you will always remain heroes.
You courageously championed our nation and boldly decided to pay a high price to see others live freely. You stood up for the weak and vulnerable, lifted the chins of a distraught community of people and paved the way for nationalism and unity to rise up as our nation’s battle cry.
“One nation, under God.”
It is because of you that we can boldly proclaim this as the truth of our nation. It is because of you that we stand, unified and convinced there is an end in sight.
When I think back to that terrible day, it is easy to be clouded by the darkness, anger, hurt and fear. But then I remember hope has a grasp on the victory. Because of the sacrifice, humility and valor of our troops and loved ones, we know the only fight worth fighting is the one we believe will result in victory. With thousands of troops willing to go, I am willing to hope.
Thank you, heroes, from the bottom of my heart.
With gratitude,
Your biggest fan
Every time I look seemingly hopeless situations in the face, Lamentations 3 comes to mind.
“The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words.
I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss.
Yet still I dare to hope when I remember this:
The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” –
Lamentations 3:19-23 [NLT]
I am choosing to hold on to hope as I reflect on the fourteen years since that day. I’m choosing to believe in the Lord’s purposes and plan for our nation. And I am unwavering in my gratefulness for those who have gone before me in hope, convinced that our freedom is worth fighting for.
Here’s to focusing on the good stuff, all the days of our lives.
