A Silver Lining in a Cloudless Sky
Kevin M. Nelson
September 11, 2012
It seems as though every year on this September morning, the clouds retreat from above New England to reveal the same clear blue sky we had on that infamous day eleven years ago, when cowardly men stole innocent lives with their murderous evil, and forever left a scar on our nation.
For those old enough to remember where they were and what they were doing on that Tuesday morning, the events of that day, and the days and weeks that followed, continue to play vividly in our minds. We learned a lot about ourselves and our nation that day, along with the unfortunate realization that, despite our great freedoms and strong military, we as a nation were no longer insulated from the greatest evils in the world. Not since the attack on Pearl Harbor had such homicidal devastation occurred on our soil, and this time it went beyond a military attacking a military. This time it was a handful of hate-filled men, backed by a terrorist network, and indoctrinated with those dark passages of Islamic ideology that few like to even acknowledge they exist in fear of being branded intolerant, making innocent and unarmed people the prime target of these men.
For the first time in a while, and for at least months that seemed like years, we stood as a nation with a reaffirmed patriotic defiance. We mourned together, prayed together, walked together and talked together, coming together with a shared understanding of the immensely deep wounds of fear, grief, anger, and sadness that had been inflicted upon a now uncertain populace. Most developed a new way of prioritizing the truly important things in our lives. Health, faith, love, family and friendships were once again valued above wealth, status, minor political differences and frivolous ventures. The first few hours were spent trying to track down anyone and everyone we cared about who may have been directly effected by the attack. The first few days were spent waiting to hear details of what happened, how it happened, who exactly was responsible, and what we should expect next. The first few weeks were spent looking to the skies in unspoken concern, at each and every aircraft that passed slowly across the horizon. Was it over? Were we on the brink of something that would bring this fight to the streets of our own neighborhoods?
Eventually, life began to take on some pre-9/11 normalcy for many, except for those who lost family and friends on that day, or had been at or near the attack sites. A nation that had prayed together in solidarity now began to slowly settle back into regular daily routines. The fight that had been brought to the nation’s doorstep was now being fought elsewhere by those who bravely enlisted after that day and those who had already been training for military action. We were now free to debate how much security was really necessary, as shoe removal turned into alleged molestation, and government protections morphed into claims of limitless powers and unrestricted intrusions. The target, progress, and cost of the operations abroad would later become another source of angst for those who previously saluted the unifying response of those in leadership when the planes first hit.
It was not until the housing market collapse and the devastating spike in unemployment that many once again put into perspective what was most important. When you have very little, the choice becomes adopting an entitlement mentality, or one of appreciation for what you have left. That fight still continues, though we pause at least once each year to properly reflect on that fateful day, when we found hope in the rubble of horror, faith in the midst of uncertainty, and perspective among the ashes of what we used to find important.
The high and wispy clouds slowly blew in today, as morning turned into afternoon, and afternoon to evening, almost analogous of how monotonous routines and cynicism had slowly crept back into our lives in the years following that tragic day, and seemingly replaced the hope and resolve with an apathetic stagnation.
We do however see glimpses of that American spirit from time to time, but perhaps never more so than in the morning of each September 11th, when we make a concerted effort to reflect on that tragedy, and amidst our mourning, revive those tear-filled stories of triumph and survival, bringing a silver lining….. to a cloudless sky.
May we never forget the tragic loss of life, the heroic acts of bravery and selflessness, and the spirit of kindness and compassion that brought neighbors, family, and friends together in unity of purpose, and resolve.
May God Bless the families and friends of each victim and soldier, the brave men and women still fighting this new global enemy, and may God once again Bless America.
Kevin M. Nelson
September 11, 2012
It seems as though every year on this September morning, the clouds retreat from above New England to reveal the same clear blue sky we had on that infamous day eleven years ago, when cowardly men stole innocent lives with their murderous evil, and forever left a scar on our nation.
For those old enough to remember where they were and what they were doing on that Tuesday morning, the events of that day, and the days and weeks that followed, continue to play vividly in our minds. We learned a lot about ourselves and our nation that day, along with the unfortunate realization that, despite our great freedoms and strong military, we as a nation were no longer insulated from the greatest evils in the world. Not since the attack on Pearl Harbor had such homicidal devastation occurred on our soil, and this time it went beyond a military attacking a military. This time it was a handful of hate-filled men, backed by a terrorist network, and indoctrinated with those dark passages of Islamic ideology that few like to even acknowledge they exist in fear of being branded intolerant, making innocent and unarmed people the prime target of these men.
For the first time in a while, and for at least months that seemed like years, we stood as a nation with a reaffirmed patriotic defiance. We mourned together, prayed together, walked together and talked together, coming together with a shared understanding of the immensely deep wounds of fear, grief, anger, and sadness that had been inflicted upon a now uncertain populace. Most developed a new way of prioritizing the truly important things in our lives. Health, faith, love, family and friendships were once again valued above wealth, status, minor political differences and frivolous ventures. The first few hours were spent trying to track down anyone and everyone we cared about who may have been directly effected by the attack. The first few days were spent waiting to hear details of what happened, how it happened, who exactly was responsible, and what we should expect next. The first few weeks were spent looking to the skies in unspoken concern, at each and every aircraft that passed slowly across the horizon. Was it over? Were we on the brink of something that would bring this fight to the streets of our own neighborhoods?
Eventually, life began to take on some pre-9/11 normalcy for many, except for those who lost family and friends on that day, or had been at or near the attack sites. A nation that had prayed together in solidarity now began to slowly settle back into regular daily routines. The fight that had been brought to the nation’s doorstep was now being fought elsewhere by those who bravely enlisted after that day and those who had already been training for military action. We were now free to debate how much security was really necessary, as shoe removal turned into alleged molestation, and government protections morphed into claims of limitless powers and unrestricted intrusions. The target, progress, and cost of the operations abroad would later become another source of angst for those who previously saluted the unifying response of those in leadership when the planes first hit.
It was not until the housing market collapse and the devastating spike in unemployment that many once again put into perspective what was most important. When you have very little, the choice becomes adopting an entitlement mentality, or one of appreciation for what you have left. That fight still continues, though we pause at least once each year to properly reflect on that fateful day, when we found hope in the rubble of horror, faith in the midst of uncertainty, and perspective among the ashes of what we used to find important.
The high and wispy clouds slowly blew in today, as morning turned into afternoon, and afternoon to evening, almost analogous of how monotonous routines and cynicism had slowly crept back into our lives in the years following that tragic day, and seemingly replaced the hope and resolve with an apathetic stagnation.
We do however see glimpses of that American spirit from time to time, but perhaps never more so than in the morning of each September 11th, when we make a concerted effort to reflect on that tragedy, and amidst our mourning, revive those tear-filled stories of triumph and survival, bringing a silver lining….. to a cloudless sky.
May we never forget the tragic loss of life, the heroic acts of bravery and selflessness, and the spirit of kindness and compassion that brought neighbors, family, and friends together in unity of purpose, and resolve.
May God Bless the families and friends of each victim and soldier, the brave men and women still fighting this new global enemy, and may God once again Bless America.