...on that September day? Each September 11th for the last 7 years I have taken a few moments to reflect back upon what I was doing the moment those planes crashed into the World Trade Center. Today will be no different. I will still remember what happened that day, and how it has affected me and my family.
I had just sent the girls out the door to catch their buses, and I was sitting down to watch Katie Couric and Matt Lauer. They say no news is good news, but that morning the news they were reporting was anything but good. Images of a building being hit by a plane are still fresh in my mind. It seemed like a freak accident, freakier still when it happened again. Suddenly, everything I knew to be safe and free was being threatened by an unknown and evil force. I didn't want to keep watching, but I knew I couldn't stop. I wondered if my girls would find out about it at school, and I was fearful for their reactions. Would they be frightened like I was, or were they too young to fully understand what I didn't even understand myself. The next moment that I will relive again and again in years to come was Katie Couric on the air with someone in the Pentagon when it was attacked. It was then I knew that this terrible thing was not going away. I felt cold fear in my heart for a future where our freedoms would be tested. I was 8 1/2 months pregnant, joyfully anticipating the birth of a son, one who would now be coming into a world where peace had been taken away. I quietly turned off the tv, and said a silent prayer to the one person who I knew could take away my fears. Would I someday have to send this unborn boy off to fight for the freedoms that he didn't even know about? Could I do it? Could he? I have had uncles and cousins and friends and father-in-laws go to war. Some of them came back; some didn't. Was this the life my son was coming into the world for? I can't answer that question yet; but I do know that on that day a calm assurance came to me that my son would be protected, and that he would be prepared in life to do whatever he was asked to do. Perhaps he will have to serve his country; I'm preparing him to serve his God. From the moment he was born I have instilled in him a love for this country and the precious freedoms that belong to us. I hope he will always remember what a privilege it is to live here, in the land of the free and the brave. I have never been prouder to fly my flag than on that day. Today, as I drove to work there were flags everywhere, symbolizing that we haven't forgotten that not-so- long ago day. Images of mothers who lost husbands, and children who lost fathers, and husbands who lost wives, and parents who lost children will be forever embedded in my heart. I still have a bad habit now of turning on the tv each morning to make sure my world is safe. I hope I never have to see something like that happening again. I salute all those who lost loved ones on 9-11, and subsequently in any and all conflicts which have been fought to preserve this country for me and my posterity. Take a minute today and reflect upon your blessings from living in America. It's well worth your time.
This year we had the whole family, so it was a bit different. I asked Eli if he had anything to say to her before we left. "Nope. Just goodbye." No more tears this year. Maybe third time's a charm. It was a bit hard on Cassidy, their last hug was a little longer,but they left each other with a smile. Dad's hug was big and friendly, mine a little bit gentler, but again, no tears, and just an "I love you...we'll see you soon!" Some days I miss her like crazy, but on days like today, I am grateful to know that she is once again, where she wants to be, where she is supposed to be, and where she needs to be. It doesn't get much better than that!
After having really long hair for almost 5 years, and no bangs for even longer, Whitney took the plunge a few days ago and got a 'new do.' I love the new highlights/lowlights, and the bangs really brighten up her face. All I've got to say now is, 'Girl, you look rockin' hot!' This is definitely NOT a bad hair day for her! I wish her many more good ones to come!
Before you start thinking I endorse "Veggie Tales" as an interesting title for a blog, let me speak: I needed a clever way to lead into my food favorite of the day, fresh cucumbers from my garden. Today I ate 2, yes count them, 2 all by myself and I didn't even share. Next to tomatoes, cucumbers are the reason I let Phillip grow me a garden. I love them plain, with pepper and salt, sliced, chopped and combined with tomatoes and red onion for a fresh and calorie-free relish that's great on hamburgers and hot dogs, or marinated in rice wine vinegar. Here's my all-time to-die for cucumber recipe: Thinly slice about 8-10 cucumbers, (About the thickness of paper) toss with rice wine vinegar and add imitation crab flakes and sesame seeds. It's to die for!
It has finally happened...my final baby is starting first grade, my second baby is a senior, and my first baby (who I'll blog/brag about later!) is a junior in college. Eli went to bed last night at 9:00. We all followed about 10:30. By 10:35 I was fast asleep. That is until I was awakened from a deep sleep by a flashing light show in my hallway. I went to investigate. There was my wide-awake, bright-eyed boy, turning the lights on and off, on and off, on and off. "What the heck are you doing?" "Getting your attention. I can't sleep! 
Part of the excitement of seeing Eli come through the front door today involved him lifting up his arm to get something out of his backpack. Am I still the coolest mom on the planet? I don't think so! Note to self...rip off the tags BEFORE you send them out the door!
