I’m curled up on my couch giving my body time to heal from bronchitis. Fifteen years ago, my daughter was curled up on our couch giving her body time to heal from strep throat. It’s not often you remember the exact date your daughter had strep throat, but today is 9/11, and like you, I remember everything about that day.
We lived in Indiana. We didn’t know anyone personally affected by the events, and yet the ripple effect left a wake of devastation in our family’s life.
It still makes me uneasy. I cringe this time every year, hoping the feelings remain dormant. I am still walking that road of healing– healing from guilt that I didn’t realize the impact 9/11 had on my daughter.
9/11 shook more than my family.
The shockwave that occurred when those towers crumbled created a seismic shift in our nation. A shift that altered the landscape of how we do life. Fear took hold.
Fear is an awful companion, and yet as I look at our country– the way we govern, protect, educate, and parent– I realize that much of what we do is filtered through the lens of safety.
Safety sounds like a good filter, but not when our sieve is fear.
We need to heal.
I didn’t realize how desperately we need to heal until I went to Rwanda and saw how an entire nation chose to do the hard work of healing after the Genocide.
Rwanda, like America, chooses to never forget.
Kwibuka is the Kinyarwanda word for remember.
It’s how and why we remember 9/11 that makes the difference in our recovery.
If we remember to harbor anger, bitterness, hurt, and fear, we will not heal. If we remember for the purpose of learning, growth, change, reverence, and wisdom, the wounds will heal.
Yes, scars remain, but healing comes.
May we never forget.
Flickr photo courtesy of Brian Snelson cc
Today’s post is inspired by Kate Montaung’s Five Minute Friday.
Five Minute Friday is community of writers who free write for five minutes each week and then share those unedited words with the world. This week’s writing prompt is heal.
Be sure to visit Kate’s site and read what other people wrote on this topic.
My daughter also wrote a post about healing from the trauma of 9/11. It would mean the world to me if you read her post and encourage her with comments.
Until we meet again…
Yes, healing is forgiveness. In recognizing our neighbors rather than looking for enemies. Thanks for this powerful reminder, Amy!
You’re welcome, Annie! I pray we continue to heal as a country and individuals.
So much truth here! I agree with your thoughts about safety and fear. It’s almost as if safety has become our idol.
Just as an FYI, the link you shared to your daughter’s post is not working. I did manage to find it manually, read and left a comment. What a blessing to have a daughter who writes as well! Thank you for sharing and for linking up with FMF!
Kate, Thank you for the encouraging words. I, too, think safety has become an idol. I began dismantling it while my daughter served on the mission field last year. Daily, I practiced the art of accepting that I do not have control and that safety is not God’s greatest desire for our lives– As my pastor always says, God is more concerned with our character than our comfort.
I noticed the link was wonky, too and fixed it. I appreciate the heads up and love. It’s been a long time since I posted on FMF. I’m grateful you kept the community running and provide a forum for us to share our hearts and practice writing our words.