Servant and Steward: Sad yet happy

Servant and Steward: Sad yet happy

A great reflection on the Stigmata of Francis.

I remember the flags.

I remember the flags.

This is the 7^th September 11 that went by since the terrorist attack on our country.

I remember the sound of the incredulous radio broadcaster announcing the first tower being hit. I remember thinking that it was just some sort of crazy media scare, something blown out of proportion as I sat in my car on the way to the office.

I remember praying in front of the neighbors television as we came from nearby offices to see "Ground Zero" and witnessing in the collapse of the second tower the deaths of thousands of innocent people - and I was thankful, as I was often the person in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I remember the uncertainty of what was going on around us- rumors of other incidents until the dust cleared. How much was hanging on the thread of civilization, which I had not ever seen as vulnerable before.

I remember the desire to get home to be with Jennie and the kids… The desire to light a candle, say a prayer and commend the day's events to God.

I remember our personal response, a pulling together of loosely fitting neighbors. I realized on September 11^th that being an American was something to not be taken lightly.

I remember singing the patriotic songs. And the flags that sprung up as flowers in a place where the dirty destructive fingers of terrorism had spread a rotting odor. The flag reminded us where we were, where we came from and where we wanted to go. And the flag moves forward. The American People move forward. The stench of terrorism is in the air, no longer ignored, but overwhelmed by the sweet breeze of freedom which is felt in our hearts and seen in the flutter of the flag.

I don't see them around so much these days. Much like the feeling for the appreciation of our American way of life, the flag is mostly put away and only taken out when we need to remember. But the flag is there. Always real. Always ready. We will see it when we need to and know that we do not stand alone, but as one nation under the protection of almighty God.