Saturday, September 12, 2009

Beauty and Blessings? Even As We Remember 9/11?

Yesterday (I'm writing this at 11:00 p.m. on Sept. 12) was the 8 year anniversary of 9/11. I can't believe it has been 8 years - it's still so real and vivid in our minds. Do you remember where you were when the attack happened? It seems to be one of those unique events that brand into our memory and most remember exactly where they were and what they were doing. For me, the other events in my life were President Kennedy's assassination and the Challenger explosion. Isn't it amazing that television can bring us all together this way so that we all participate and have the same memories and truly experience the event. Just as I truly felt like I had attended Princess Diana's and Mother Theresa's funeral. So, yes, I remember where I was - I was living with my sister and she called me from her office and quickly told me to turn on the TV, that terrorists might be attacking in New York City. I did just that - just like so many of the rest of you - and I cried and prayed all the rest of the day. I had gotten to the TV just in time to see the second tower fall - such horror and fear and suffering of the people in the streets and those desperately searching all day for their loved ones. Pain, anger, uncertainty, death and destruction. But, yes, even then, there was beauty and blessings. We heard the stories of so many miraculous escapes and rescues by our valiant and brave men and women. We saw anew the love and strength and power of good people doing the right and honorable tasks that no one wants to ever have to face doing. We felt the bond of shared human experience and our light shown to the entire world. We were brought closer as Americans - we found our patriotism again. And most importantly, we found that we really needed our faith again - faith in the God whom this country was founded upon. Faith in our God who has so obviously blessed and prospered this nation from the beginning. Why? Because our forefathers recognized Him as the Creator Who endowed us with certain inalienable rights. Because this nation gives and helps and feeds other nations. He can trust America to be a channel to others to share the blessings He gives us. Let us never forget where our strength and power comes from. Beauty? Oh, my, when the rescuers raised Old Glory at center of the destruction. When we saw the huge metal beams form a cross in the rubble. And beauty when we saw the leaders of this country stand together (free of politics) on the steps of the capitol and sing in unison "God Bless America". Beauty when we began to see our flag on so many citizen's vehicles and shop windows. Blessings? Yes, when our President and the Mayor of New York City led us with such dignity and grace. And blessings when airplane passengers prevented the other planned crash in Washington D.C. Beauty and blessings do always come in the midst of and after pain and heartache and sorrow and horror. Thank you Lord. Grace (His undeserved, unmerited favor). Remember it is Amazing Grace. And it is such a sweet, sweet sound and an even sweeter truth. Mercy. The Bible says His mercies are new every morning. So, let us never forget September 11, 2001. Because we know even there and then, God gives us beauty and blessings - now that helps me, through my pain and loss, to be able to face tomorrow. He gives us beauty for ashes as His Word says.

Beauty and Blessings. And those two words are my short prayer for you right now....


Cynthia K.

22 comments:

  1. Congratulations - and well done - on your first blog post......and what an amazing one! So well written and moving.

    I do remember turning on the television on 9/11 and not believing what I was seeing.....I called my mother in law (who was looking after my daughter at the time) and asked her if she knew what had happened.....we both watched on our separate televisions as the plane hit the tower.....she thought she was watching a movie....as did many people did. Even thinking of it now makes me shiver. We have quite a few friends in NYC, a few who lived near Wall Street and a few who worked in the area - luckily they were all safe but it wasn't until midnight that we could get through to them as the phone lines were down.

    As for Princess Diana's funeral, what a terrible day that was....probably the saddest thing that I have experienced in my life. I remember getting to my gym class and being told what had happened and hearing it just in disbelief. Later on that day we drove to Kensington Palace to lay flowers and just to be with other mourners - the shock was just enormous.

    Later that week I queued for 11 hours to sign the books of remembrance at St James Palace - it was quite extraordinary - a huge queue of people waiting quietly, people bringing us coffee and waiting until the early hours of the morning.

    I watched the funeral on television and then drove 10 mins from my house to where I knew the funeral cortege would finally pass......as the car drove slowly past we threw flowers and said a silent prayer for a life lost way too soon.....and for those lovely boys of hers left without their mother.

    I really enjoyed reading what you wrote.....and I wish you every success with your blog.....very best wishes,

    Simone :)

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  2. Hi Cynthia, Welcome to the world of blogging. You definitely belong as you are a gifted writer. What a beautiful post. i read your profile and my heart just broke at all that you have faced in the past nine months. I hope this blog is something new and fresh that will bring you joy!
    Thank you for entering my giveaway. I love that book...and you are just in time. I'll post on my blog later today who won. Maybe it will be your lucky day:-)
    I tried to follow you but something is wrong and I can't follow anyone right now. Boo.... I am subscribing to your blog, though:-)
    Blessings,
    Suzanne

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  3. Cynthia...you won my giveaway!!!!!! No kidding, you were entry #85...the winning number:-) I just posted this on my blog.
    I need to know if the book you would like is still Southern Lady: Gracious Spaces and I also need an address to mail your package. Please email me at shabbytiara@gmail.com with your info.
    Congratulations. Keep blogging:-)

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  4. Congrats on your new blog! It has been a real blessing from the start. I hope you have the same experience! I have found bloggers are extremely supportive and helpful. And I hope you do get to start up your own shop someday. That's how I started...with a blog!

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  5. Cynthia, Welcome to Blogland!!
    I'm sorry for the sadness you've experienced the past nine months. So many losses in such a short time.
    In 1994, I lost my husband and father within a five-month span, so I know the heartache you must be feeling. How people get through things like that without God is beyond me.
    Blessings to you,
    ~Becca~

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  6. Congrats on the launch of your new blog~beautiful post!

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  7. Hi Cynthia and welcome to blogland! I can't even imagine what you have gone through in the past few months, but my prayers are certainly with you. I agree with Becca...I don't understand how people can get through these things without God.
    Will visit again!!
    Blessings~

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  8. Hi Cynthia,
    So glad you took the time to visit my blog and leave your sweet comments. Your writing about 9/11 was beautiful...keep blogging!!
    xojanis

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  9. Welcome to the blogging world!
    I loved reading through your post:)

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  10. Cynthia, welcome to the blogging community.
    My heart aches for you in your losses but rejoices also because you seem to realize God's sovereignty in your life.
    Thank you for sharing from your heart; you will find many friends here online who are willing to listen and help.
    Hugs, Leslie

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  11. Hi Cynthia, I'm just dropping by from The Shabby Tiara to say hi. Beautiful post. Keep up the blogging! =)

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  12. Hi Cynthia!!
    Wow... Love your name... My Mother's name was Cynthia so I am a bit partial!!
    Your blog is off to a great start!! You will do fine..... Thanks for visiting mine!!
    ******
    911... My Hubby & I had just come inside from being in the gardens. Turned on TV... Had no idea what we were looking at... When we were aware of what happened we were flabergasted & scared. My HS best friend lost her only son! I felt it personally thru this...
    *******
    Have a Wonderful Weekend!
    Love,
    Marilyn

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  13. Thank you for your sweet comment on my blog :) You are such a dear!
    This was a lovely post!

    Candy :)

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  14. Thanks so much for stopping by Buttercups. I love to have company. I hope you will visit often and blog some more. Take good care!

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  15. What a wonderful post Cynthia!!! All so very true too...Thank you for your sweet words and for visiting me ~ keep blogging, you truly have a gift! xxoo, Dawn

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  16. Hello Cynthia and welcome to the world of blogging and meeting new friends. Thankyou so much for the lovely post on my blog. I wanted to come in for a visit and I am so happy that I did. I signed up to follow and make sure I don't miss out on anything you are up to. Great post, Char

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  17. Hi Cynthia. I'm so glad you visited my blog so I now know who you are and can visit you too. Welcome to blogland. I'm pretty new here myself and you will find that there are so many kind and caring people here. It's hard to believe this is your first post, it's very well written and very touching. It's so true that we remember these unbelievable events and that we are all so connected by them. I hope to get to know you through you post and look forward to reading more. I know what you mean about writers block. I'm there too. I get so caught up in everyone else great blogs it's hard to find time to do my own. Have a blessed evening....Tracy
    P.S. Thanks for entering my giveaway & following me, I'll be sure your enter twice.

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  18. Hi Cynthia, Thank you so much for leaving your lovely comment on my blog! It is so nice to meet you! I'm really glad you stopped by so I could visit you! You have written the most heart touching post. I am looking forward to visiting you again.
    Thanks for entering in my giveaway and following me. Good Luck!
    Hugs, Carol Anne

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  19. Cynthia,

    Congrats and welcome to blogland. I think alot of people would enjoy your blog and it look you already have quite a few followers. I don't think you need to talk about certain things just talk from your heart and I am sure people will enjoy it. If you talk about what is in your heart then people will be interested in seeing what type of person you are. Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment.

    I will indeed enjoy every moment with my Mom. She is definitely a treasure!!

    Have a great week.

    ~Lisa

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  20. Hi Cynthia,
    Just to let you know that you won my Pink Saturday giveaway! Perhaps you could email me your name and address and I'll get it in the post soon as.
    Cheers,
    Ruth (email: roo1968@yahoo.co.uk)

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  21. this is a beautiful post! I wanted to thank you personally for the lovely compliments you left for me on the ShabbyLaneShops blog. It really means a lot!

    (((hugs)))

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  22. Very beautifully written blog post Cynthia! Thank you for calling my attention to it so I could read it. I know many want to forget 9-11 but I think we always should remember the innocent people that lost their lives that day and the wonderful response and support that New Yorkers, our whole country and many other countries gave to each other afterwards. It could happen again..anywhere. We must hope and pray that terrorism will be defeated.

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