Reflections on 9/11 and Other Things

13 years ago today I woke up and started my day in the usual manner. I got my daughter changed, went to make her breakfast, and turned on the TV. Normally the TV was permanently set on Disney Channel, but this morning it was on a local news station. I looked to see the first tower burning. I immediately called my husband and asked him if he knew what was going on. While we were on the phone, I watched in horror as the second tower was hit. Then the Pentagon was hit and every military base went on total lockdown. I couldn't reach my husband at all. He wasn't able to contact me until almost 5 PM that evening. It had taken him that long to get off of the base and to a pay phone to call. I remember I spent that day holding my daughter and crying. What was going on?

Obviously today has stirred up memories. And it has made me reflect on plenty of other things too. For example, my daughter has never known a world where there isn't a threat of domestic terrorism. At the time of 9/11, I had just been diagnosed with Lupus. My daughter has never known a time when her mom was completely healthy and full of energy. 

13 years later, the same world exists for my son. But there are other things going on now. My son will never have his own memories of his Bubbe, my mom. He lives in a world that knows the threat of domestic terrorism is everywhere. He lives in a world where forces want to destroy the Jewish people. (OK, that part is always happening and has throughout history.)It's kind of a mess out there.

This morning I woke up with my normal routine again. I got my son out of bed, got him dressed, made him breakfast and turned on the TV. Today I turned it to a news station just to make sure there was nothing new. It was filled with images of 13 years ago. I was down this morning. It was hard to think about doing much of anything. But I made the decision to pull up myself up by my proverbial bootstraps and head out to Mission BBQ in California, MD to help honor the fallen heroes of 9/11. Those brave men and women that gave their lives for us! I also wanted to honor the men and women who put their lives on the line everyday for our protection and freedom, my heroes! I shook hands with fireman and women. I thanked them for what they do. I shook hands with men and women in military service and thanked them as well. I didn't do it to make myself feel better, I did it because it's what I'm supposed to do. It's what I am called to do. It's what I love to do!

I know it seems that I have spent my day reflecting on sad things, I want you to know that I know there is a bright side. It says so in the Bible. Romans 8:28 says,"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose." This lets me know that even though the world seems bleak and scary at times, God has everything under control. He will work it all out for his glory! Amen!

2013 Retrospective - The First Three Months

I thought I would do a little retrospective of 2013 using pictures and Facebook statuses. The following is just the first 3 months of the year. It's quite cool looking over the past year and seeing what was going on in my life and through my head! 

JANUARY

• January 1, 2013 - My profile is all about rebels! French Revolutionaries and the Rebel Alliance. I wonder if this is a sign of my attitude about 2013?

Thank you, Les Miserables and James Hance for the inspiration!

• January 5, 2013 - Officially joined the gym. Holy craziness... what have I done??
• January 7, 2013 - I did it! Only 15 minutes on the elliptical but it's a start! — at World Gym.
• January 12, 2013 - Josh Tulkin writes, "Didn't expect to run into cousin Laura at the DC tattoo expo." — with Annie Tulkin and Laura Shimer Hinkle.

• January 14, 2013 - New foot tattoo + athletic shoes + gym = ouch! Wish me luck!!
• January 22, 2013 - So I was thinking today. Scary, I know. I realized that it could seem very narcissistic for me to post about going to the gym and how many calories I have burned, etc. But I do it not for the pat on the back from friends (although that is also nice), I do it to keep myself accountable! This is a huge step for me. Since losing my mom the way I did, I have realized that I don't want to have my kids watch me go. I want to be healthy and stick around to be there for them and annoy and embarrass them for many, many years to come!
• January 26, 2013 - Being sick... Awful. Having a friend willing to come over and watch your kids so you can recover... AWESOME! Thanks, Meghan!
• January 31, 2013 - So I'm having dinner with Jack and my mother in law and Jack is being himself (a little loud). This little mutant in the booth next to us looks over the wall and says, "Shut up, baby!" Then says, "I'm gonna fight that baby and throw his food on the floor." And his mother did NOTHING about it! Are you kidding me?!?! Raise your kids with manners, people!

FEBRUARY

February 3, 2013 - Jack is enjoying the halftime show.

• February 1, 2013 - A BIG congratulations to my husband and the Lady Eagles for their 51-46 victory over the Grace Christian Knights at tonight's homecoming game! Well done, girls! I am SO proud of you all! — with Roy Hinkle and Christopher Eugene Viers.
• February 3, 2013 - Well, after years of trying to keep my kids kosher, it all went down hill today. Of all things, my boy loves bacon.

February 14, 2013 - I reported the mailbox destruction to the sheriffs office. A very nice officer came out to the house and talked to me. Unfortunately there were no reports made about incidents and no one has come forward to tell us they are responsible. There's not much they can do. In light of this information, I have decided to have a little fun with it. I'm putting up crime scene tape and evidence markers and taking pictures! Why not! I may even photoshop a chalk outline!!

• February 5, 2013 - Yesterday I was trying to get the phone number for Urgent Care and I was asking Siri. She wouldn't give me the right answer, so I yelled at her and told her she was a complete idiot. She responded with "I'm doing the best I can."
• February 8, 2013 - Phone in pocket. Accidentally hit voice text. Apparently this is what I sound like when I talk to Jack... "Are are I will be right back to Mamaloni right back."
• February 10, 2013 - Ketchup is a vegetable, right?

• February 14, 2013 - Beautiful Valentine's Day flowers from my sweetie pie! — with Roy Hinkle.

• February 17, 2013 - Still more prayers needed. Em's temp is 99.5 and Jack is wheezing. I think they should make an Outbreak 2 and film it in my house!
•  February 19, 2013 - I'm so proud of my husband, Roy, and his Lady Eagles! They finished their basketball season at 6-6! Yeah for 500!!! This is the Lady Eagles most winning season in history!!
• February 22, 2013 - I want challah and hamantashan! Apparently my Jewish side is screaming to be fed!
• February 23, 2013 - With Roy Hinkle and Jack! — at National Aquarium.

• February 23, 2013 - Congratulations to the FTC team of KCA for winning FTC Maryland State Champions! (My Emi is on the team!!)

• February 28, 2013 - I love you, Kayla Boland! You make me smile!

MARCH

• March 2, 2013 - It's been 6 months to the day that my mom passed away. I tried to keep myself busy today to not think about it, but now that it's quiet in the house it's coming down on me hard. I miss her so much. I wish she was here to hug me and tell me she loves me and that I'm doing a good job with my life. I would never ask her to leave the presence of the Father, but man, I want her back so badly!
• March 5, 2013 - 2 year olds are a weird species... that is all.
• March 9, 2013 - Holy cow! The KCA VEX team won design. They're going to Worlds!
• March 12, 2013 - My son just threw a tennis ball at the tv. He asked me to get it back for him. It's cute how he thinks he will ever see it again.
• March 15, 2013 - Beware the Ides of March! And if your name is Julius, I'd stay away from the Senate today too!
• March 17, 2013 - For real?? It's snowing! My daffodils are in bloom and it's snowing.
• March 18, 2013 - I am straight up gangsta, homie!

• March 19, 2013 - So I hadn't been out of the house for 30 minutes even when I saw a dog pee on another dog and a lady taking pictures of herself with her phone.
• March 20, 2013 - Does anyone have a saw they would trust me with? I need to cut a foot off of my mailbox post in order to put up my new one. If you don't trust me with sharp implements, you could come do it for me! LOL!!
• March 22, 2013 - My coffee is smiling at me this morning.

• March 22, 2013 - Wow. I just realized that I am sitting here watching Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Jack is in bed. This isn't good!
• March 28, 2013 - There is some weird stuff on TV. Seriously... I don't get it at all.
• March 28, 2013 - You had one job, tag guy!

• March 28, 2013 - 420 Easter/Thank You cards for our Veterans at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home! THANK YOU to all who helped me get these together so we can bless the men and women who have served our country with valor!!
• March 29, 2013 - Just paid a visit to the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home to drop off the Easter cards. I got to spend a little bit of time shaking hands and thanking my heroes!
• March 30, 2013 - We just spent 2 hours cleaning and rearranging furniture to prepare for the arrival of Jack's birthday presents. On a sad note... the baby corral is gone. Now I will never be able to go to the bathroom by myself.
• March 31, 2013 - 2 years ago, at 4:20 AM, with my husband and my mom in the room, I gave birth to this beautiful blessing we didn't know we needed! Jack Lewis, Mommy loves you SO much! Happy Birthday, boy of my dreams!