I always struggle a bit posting on a day like today, unsure of where to go with it:
I've told the story before about being a senior in High School, just a few miles outside of DC when the plane hit the Pentagon.
I've shared how in Cullen's early toddler years, I was watching TV on 9/11 and didn't realize he would have questions, but answered them in the simplest ways I could.
I've linked to our family friends Flip and Jess and Flip's triumphant recovery from loss of limbs, and then their home.
I've also often shared the mission of Wear Blue: Run to Remember, an organization started by a good friend of my sister in law who lost her husband in Afghanistan.
We have many friends for who we celebrate a yearly 'Alive Day'...
And we constantly mourn the loss of friends who have not been so fortunate.
And a few years ago, we were so inspired by the story of 9/11 hero Welles Crowther, that when we found out we were having another boy, Wells was his name.
***
But I guess my words this year have a little more meaning because Kev isn't here. For the third time since the wars started, he is over there instead of home with us.
He was a junior at West Point when 9/11 happened, so his career (and my time as his wife) doesn't know a world without deployment.
We are reminded daily by his absence of the current situation overseas and the continued struggle for peace. And we are praying for his safety, for the safety of all people who work in harm's way and for the constant protection of innocent people.
*****
What do all my personal little connections to this day mean in the grand scheme of things?
Nothing really.
But it means so much to me.
It means that I support my husband wholeheartedly, even if the Army's mission takes him away from us. And I accept my role to keep our family happy and healthy while he is gone.
It means that I try my best on a daily basis to teach my boys about the importance of service.
That I want my boys to grow up wanting to be the help- to be humble enough to put other's needs before their own, and strong enough to react.
It means that Kev and I have a duty as parents to show our children that this world is good and they have a role in making it that way. From simple things like sharing on the playground, to putting this dishes in the sink after dinner... to big things like respecting and showing compassion for all people, no matter their background- we all have to work at being the Good.
It means that I pray everyday for peace and that eventually the world will be a place where families don't need to be separated by war, we all are able to practice our religions and beliefs freely and without judgement, and people do not have to live in fear.
And it means that Kev will come home safely to us, and that the continued work of our service members and leaders will eventually allow our children to grow up in a world without conflict.
***
Never Forget.
15 comments:
Beautiful post, Kate. I believe the world is good and ultimately good will triumph over evil.
Such a great post. Thinking about Welles and your Wells today. I saw that BC is having a special red bandanna day this Saturday with their football and lacrosse teams.
"We all have to work at being the Good." This is so true, today and always. Thanks for this post, Kate, and for helping make sure we never forget.
I always love your posts but thought this one was extra special. Praying for you all every day and so thankful for the selfless sacrifice men and women like Kevin make every day for us. Love you dear friend!
Beautiful post! We share a lot of the same hopes!
This is a wonderful post!
Beautifully said. Made me tear up :) Thank you to your husband AND YOU for all you do and sacrifice for our great country!
Beautifully written friend. Thank you to you, your husband and your family from the bottom of my heart.
This couldn't have been said better. You have a way with words. And a way to make us all nod our heads and think, "we can be better". Thank you.
Never forget indeed. Thinking of you, your family, and all those families with servicemembers supporting our country.
Never forget.
Your Wells/Welles connection makes me smile :)
Everything that has happened in my adult life (being a military wife) has been shaped by 9/11. All the training, deployments, and worries.
Also, my high school was a few hours from the crash site in PA (also in the middle of a field) and I remember how clear blue the skies were that day and everyone was sure (after we'd heard about Shanksville) that planes could crash anywhere that day.
Beautiful. Sending you tons of love on days like today when the reminder of why your husband is gone, is remembered worldwide. I'm ever thankful for him and his selflessness.
Beautiful post. I struggle so much with this day --and I think in the past few years as B has come into my life I've gained such a different perspective. The sacrifice so many have made, and continue to make in this "Post 9/11" World is something I didn't fully understand or appreciate until marrying B and becoming a part of this community.
beautiful post. You are certainly the one person that I know has the most direct connection to this day and I think of and pray for you & your family often.
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