From “Julie’s Gems”: September 2002

As we all know, September 11, 2001 was a day so real we could barely accept it happened. One of the connections for me was that the day was also my birthday. At first, it bothered me that September 11 was no longer my birthday, but now the date of the terrorist attacks. But then I thought of all those people who lost someone. September 11 will no longer be an un-circled date on their calendar; it will forever be the day they lost a husband, wife, mother, father, sister, brother, daughter, son, cousin, aunt, uncle, or friend. So no, September 11, 2002 was not just the day I turned the big 3-0, it was also the heart wrenching anniversary for many that lost a cherished loved one.
For the living victims of September 11, it can be an effort merely to breathe after such a loss. How dare the sun rise and children laugh and kittens romp after such a devastating blow! For days, weeks, and perhaps years, these victims will scarcely be able to roll out of bed. It’s for those people my heart aches. To refuse to let their heart and soul heal and seek peace. To not let themselves accept that weeping may endure for the night, but joy will eventually come in the morning. This September, be reminded that even when circumstances do not change and it feels as if life has let you down, let faith allow you to live each day with a song in your heart, even when there are tears in your eyes.