In light of the unfortunate events in our nation over the past few days, I’ve decided to make today’s post a serious one. No parodies, no sarcastic jargon, no cynical impressions of society. When I woke up this morning, I stumbled into the kitchen like I do most mornings, poured myself some coffee, and sat down to watch the news. Over the next few minutes, I was reminded once again of the frailty of humanity. I am disheartened- but really, that word doesn’t give justice to the situations- “mournful” comes only a little closer. Yet… I am not mournful. I didn’t personally know any of the victims who where shot/killed in the shootings at Fort Hood, or in Florida. I would be lying, in fact, if I said that I was greatly sad, or grief- stricken because of their deaths. That is not to say that I don’t feel bad for their loss, or that my heart doesn’t go out to them. But, maybe- just maybe, that’s not enough.
After watching the news, I thought to myself “How sad,” with not nearly as much feeling as the “Damn it!” I let out over my burnt toast. I went about my morning routine as usual, rushing out the door, and not slowing down until about an hour ago, when I saw a young father with his not-quite-two year old baby girl- then I thought about the mothers, the wives, the brothers, the children of the ones who were killed. Then I thought about my own daughter- and I stopped.
The freedom that I have and take for granted all-too-often doesn’t just belong to me- it belongs to “us.” It belongs to OUR families; OUR friends… but somewhere along the way, we forgot that. We lost our sense of community; our sense of “all for one and one for all.” By just taking a glance through our nation’s history we are reminded of the hardships, the wars, and the trials that our ancestors faced since the birth of this great country. Yet, through the blood, the sweat, the tears, the battles- this one simple phrase seems to whisper even now: “We’re in this together.”
Just because I didn’t do anything to earn the freedom that I have, doesn’t mean that it wasn’t paid for. So, by treating it as if it’s always been there; by not stopping to let the full weight of it sink in, gives way to unconscious ambivalence. What’s worse is that, in doing so, we have cheapened the sacrifice made by the men and women that gave us the freedom we so enjoy.
What if I had known the people who were killed in the shootings? Would it have hurt any less if they had been killed “in the line of duty”? Would it have helped to ease the pain, knowing that they were killed by an enemy, rather than by one of our own? In truth, I can’t answer any of these questions, because it wasn’t MY brother, MY sister, MY husband, MY friend… But, there is one thing that I DO know.
Tonight, before my head touches my pillow, I will hold my daughter a little tighter. I will think of her, and the freedom I want her to have. I will thank God that she is safe… that she is mine… that we- all of us- are free.
We’re in this together- each and every one of us. Lets honor those who died by never forgetting that.
Wow…moments pause to feel the weight of impact…Thank you, Katie.
God Bless ~ Jessica