Resiliance and Strength

Ten years later.  I am ten years older.  Not a big surprise. But my children grew up and they too are ten years older.  The son who passed his drivers test at 8:45 am on 9/11/2001 is now 26 years old..  This son who was able to help me pick up his three younger siblings from school that morning is now a veteran volunteer firefigher/emt.  He was inspired by the events he lived at the age of 16.  His youngest brother, just 9 years old at the time of the attack, is also now a volunteer fireman.  Both are fulfilled by their drive to help others survive a tragedy. Each in his own way was inspired by the first responders who reacted in the face of unthinkable destruction.  My daughter fell in love with a soldier, a brave young leader who has thankfully survived his first tour of duty in a war against an often unseen enemy.  She has matured into a young woman who helps other army wives sustain their hope and courage while their husbands fight for our freedom and way of life. Another son has become a man of strong faith and Christian leadership.  I am proud of them all.  The events they lived through at a young and impressionable age helped them to grow into the people they are now.  Their childhood was shaped, in part,  by a tragedy and war.  My children and yours also benefited from seeing the resilience and strength that Americans draw on when faced with tragedy and destruction.  Not only from terrorists, but from natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and others, we showed this new generation of Americans that we don't lie down and give up.  Americans may be knocked down but we don't stay there.  We get up, we carry on.  Americans find a way to perservere and continue on.  We strive to find our strength and rebuild.  We are Americans.