Let there be peace on earth.

If there is to be peace in the world,
There must be peace in the nations.

If there is to be peace in the nations,
There must be peace in the cities.

If there is to be peace in the cities,
There must be peace between neighbors.

If there is to be peace between neighbors,
There must be peace in the home.

If there is to be peace in the home,
There must be peace in the heart.

      -- Lao Tzu (570-490 B.C.)

Changed forever.

No one forgets.

I woke up thinking, as I do every year on this day..I was at work, my son called me, we went into lockdown when the Governor came, and the SWAT team, no one in and out of the complex. We stood in mute silence in front of conference room TVs and watched, horrified, helpless, and tears flowed from every single one of us.

Everyone, riveted to the television for days, like it was a vigil, the only way we could DO something. We prayed, we gave blood, we felt guilty for being grateful for living. We called family, we hugged strangers. Rejoiced with every soul found, alive, mourned the loss of those whose lives ended.

Unimaginable pride for law enforcement, fireman, military, families of them all.

I still wonder at the indomitable human spirit, every time i think of the passengers of Flight 93.

Ached with the knowing that it was never going to be the same again.

We hope. We stand. We honor.

We pray for peace.

Peace is not the product of terror or fear.
Peace is not the silence of cemeteries.
Peace is not the silent revolt of violent repression.
Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution
of all to the good of all.
Peace is dynamism. Peace is generosity.
It is right and it is duty.

      -- Bishop Oscar Romero (1917-1980)

Image from publicdomainpictures.net, by petr kratochvil. Thanks, Petr.

Comments

[Snap]

Lao Tzu sure had it right........

[kj]

thank you so much, roo. what you have done and shared here is preciously beautiful.

i was there too. 7 of my daughter's colleagues were on one of those planes. it was all so close to home.

what i remember most, and what you have emphasized here, is that peace starts within, then in a family, then in a neighborhood, a community, etc.

awfully glad to know you, ms. rhonda roo. i wish it were easier to make the connections.

:)

[Deborah]

Thank you for posting this. The heaviness of that day will remain forever in the hearts of all Americans.

[rochambeau]

Your post gives me the chills, Rhonda Roo. It is deeply touching. Are you now completely out of government business now? I do not forget that horrifying day, or memory. Never will. I do believe in Peace on earth & believe peace starts with learning to respect oneself.
Thank you for writing this.
xox
Constance

[A Forest Frolic]

Beautiful post Roo. Hugs,

Jamie :)

[Wendy @ Living Creatively]

Beautiful post.
We will never forget.
I was holding my first son in my arms, only a few weeks old, when my husband called and told me to turn on the news. I sat there and wept for hours.

Love the quotes. Another that I like is: "Be the change you want to see in the world." -Gandhi

[Theresa]

What a beautiful, heartfelt post. Sorry I am visiting with you so late. I thank you for sharing your feelings here. None of us will never forget...ever. Theresa

[Stephanie]

This gave me the chills, I remember too...where I was (sitting in my daughters bedroom as she got ready for school...not wanting to leave her) My husband in the air...somewhere...

we must focus on peace.

x...x

[a fanciful twist]

SO beautiful Roo. Your post really made me remember how we felt... and how easy we forget in the humm of daily life.... we must not forget... and peace must start in everyone of us.... xoxoxxx

[Plumrose Lane]

Found you through Vanessa's blog and really enjoyed my visit ~ thanks. We used to be able to see the towers from our living room, if only the loss of those structures was the greatest of that day.
♥Sharon