Each of us has a routine we follow each morning. Whether rigid, regular, or haphazard;
We have our habits! This morning, August 18, 2021, after viewing the morning news, my morning thoughts were disturbed. Is it possible that (America, my home,) is in deep pain and close to another war? More devastation?
In my lifetime, in the 40’s, we had Japan and Germany to contend with; the 50’s thru the early 90’s we seem to have had ‘cold wars’ always on the horizon!
The war we fought with Germany was indespicable! It was Hitler with his evil ironclad thinking and doing that stunned and shocked the world! Until this day, we still witness story after story of this ugly little man’s thinking and horrific doing!
Now, yesterday’s haunting memories of Afghanistan have come back to haunt and bite us! And now, once again, the grave happenings of 9/11/01 have been exhumed completely! Not that we’ll ever forget 09/11; But isn’t it like revisiting a grave site and watching it being “dug up” again and again? What does all this digging do to those who are the keepers of a memory?
Letting go of the past is always difficult. Some of us can; while others entwine the letting go with the now! And that’s perfectly alright! A memory is a memory and cherished by so many! I will never interfere with the time and place of a memory! Often, memories become
a cornerstone! But that’s a subject for another day.
We can build from that particular stone or let it remain in our lives as is! I, recently, read on FB, about a lovely tribute that cousins of mine participate in each year! The children of the deceased gentleman; plant tomatoes and peppers at his gravesite; they’ve posted their latest abundance! Beautiful red tomatoes and green peppers; on top of his stone! What a wonderful tribute to a man, their Dad! It’s a memory of the bitter with the sweet! I can see the Uncle, in my memory screen, “Well, they’ve learned how to garden!” And this thought pleases him!
Returning to yesterday’s 9/11; did you know that the Towers were designed by a first generation Japanese man named Minoru Yamasaki who was born in Seattle, Wa. In 1912 and passed in1986. I bring up this point because in 7/7/41 thru 9/2/45, we were at war with Japan! Did the U.S. make a mistake during the war with Japan; stateside?
We captured all Japanese/Americans living in the USA and imprisoned them! My point is that although we were at war with Japan and held the American/Japanese unlawfully, all was forgiven and we’ve learned to live as one; Americans!
Now, the ‘roots’ of Mr. Yamasaki are being dredged up because of the current unforgiving people! Live and let live is far beyond this warring people’s thinking!
I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow but please do not let up on your prayers for AMERICA! It may seem like ‘politicians’ are in charge, here, on the ground but it’s we, the everyday American, born here on our soil (or somewhere else) who is true to the U.S.A.; body, heart, and mind and without mercenary means!
My prayers for all who passed on 9/11 and those we keep in our memory vault of time! I was not in America when 9/11 happened. We were crossing the Strait of Messina to Sicily; when The Twin Towers were being bombed! The news, ‘till this moment gives me chills! As each call came into the tour guide, about NYC; she gave us the news in increments!
Bracing up those who might have a connection to what was going on! The third notice, from our Guide, was that the Towers had been bombed! While she was giving us the news, our bus driver was removing our nation’s flag as we were all targets now!
As soon as we arrived at our hotel, we were told to congregate in a large room. As we sat
in our little groups, praying and waiting anxiously for the time we could phone home, we talked with all on our tour; especially, the New York group! I was from Harrison, NY! My son-in-law worked in the city! Being only forty-five minutes away from the city, I, too, knew many who went to work there.
As we spoke, my New York friends made me aware of the new shopping bag and umbrella I was carrying! I had purchased it at Barnes and Noble, purposely, for this Italy trip! It was a beautiful heavy cloth shopping bag; with a painting of downtown NYC, focusing on the Twin Towers Buildings! With a matching umbrella! My friends said to put the bag and umbrella away; as we are all targets. While we were all affected; none of us lost loved ones that day! Still, we felt the loss of all the brave souls!
This is my tribute to 9/11 and I pray that we will never have to relive or go through such unholy devastations. These happenings never go away! The memories, the aches upon the hearts, the medical and physical issues that last through many lifetimes; they never go away!
When will we learn?
God’s intention for all is to value and live our lives completely! Then, when our day is done, it will be the proper time to say a prayer, plant a tree, throw a flower or place a stone!
*As I wrote this blog earlier in August, I thought my words were complete! How wrong I was!*
In memory of our ‘13’ young Marines who have just lost their precious young lives, I offer my prayers and condolences! God Bless them! Now, when I view our American Flag, the thirteen Stripes will always remind me of “The Thirteen Marines” who gave their lives defending U.S., its citizens and the Afghanistan people! Please light a candle for each of the “13.”
Nancy Fraioli is a retired Benefits Asst. from Town/Village of Harrison, NY. She’s alive and well, residing in Sarasota with her daughter and family and enjoying the Floridian lifestyle daily.
Her passions are writing, reading books of philosophy, children’s stories and poetry. Her deep love is living, learning and sharing how faith, meditation, and music guide her daily life. And she loves to lunch with the ladies!