9/11, For Our Children

Like most, I’ve pondered what the 5th anniversary of 9/11 should mean.

As I went through my morning prayers, I reflected on the hope and joy of enjoying the new day’s opportunities for growth in good and oneness. As I woke my 6-year old son for school, and he shared his dreams of last night and expectations of today, I drifted back to 9/11 when he was but almost 17-months wandering around the living room with his fascinating toys, coming over to me to hug and kiss as I cried at the sight on the TV of the horrors unfolding.

9/11, beyond even our need to remember the outrage, beyond even our need to remember the centrality of democracy’s virtues and rewards to our daily life, and defend it, to me recalls the sacrifices and aspirations we have for our children to also grow up in and prosper spiritually and materially under democracy’s beneficence.

Our national conversation has degenerated into loud arguments over factoids from the past, hurled at each other for maximum harm and profit. Meanwhile, among ordinary folks and among commentators too often in private instead of public, there is a deeper reflection on the pains we’ve suffered and endured, and upon our hopes for peace that comes through understanding.

The most common thread I hear among honest people is their prayer for understanding, for leadership, almost like of the pulpit, to go forward with hearts open and unafraid yet confident in the shield of each others’ courage and sincerity, and proper common purpose of our politicians to stand up and defend our secure interests with compassion and firmness.

In the electoral days to come, in the years to come, those who so lead shall be remembered and rewarded. And, those who don’t, who cheapen and degrade and undermine our faith and core purposes in life -- for our children to be safe and flower – in order to pilfer petty and passing personal advantages, will pay dearly in the disrepute they will have earned.

 Reprinted with permission of Bruce N. Kesler,  ChFC REBC RHU CLU