10 Years Later

Of course I remember where I was, what I was doing and the emotions and disbelief that filled my soul.  10, 20 or 50 years later, that will never change.  The tears I've shed watching the television the last two days are as if I was transported right back to that moment.  It will not change.  It can't be undone. 

As we go through life, many things happen that we wish we could just turn back time and warn people about impending disaster.  If we could would they believe us?  If someone told me on September 10, 2001 that within 24 hours we would be attacked by terrorists and thousands would die, I would have laughed and called them crazy.  No one could ever breach the defense of this country.  Well, it did happen and there isn't anything that anyone can do about it.  

So what now? 

We go on with life.  A new appreciation for life.  Love your life and the people in it.  The stories of bravery and humanity that come out of this disaster have lived for 10 years and I pray that they live on for hundreds or thousands of years after this.  My favorite quote from this weekend was made by Joe Biden, of all people, at the memorial for flight 93 in Shanksville, PA.  He was quoting something his mother told him many times when he was young.  She would tell him that courage lies in every heart and some day it will be summoned.  That's a quote that I will keep with me.

May God comfort the families and friends who suffered the loss of life on that dark day 10 years ago.
Never forget the bravery.
Never forget the sacrifice.

9/11/01 ~ NEVER FORGET

The End of an Era

Tomorrow is the first day of school in our area.  I'm sending three beautiful girls off to school.  My oldest starts high school tomorrow.  Even though she is holding her head high, I know she is scared.  My middle girl is starting 2nd grade and my youngest is beginning her journey with kindergarten.  It all happened so fast.  I have no idea where the time has gone.
My goal with eating raw is to live healthier and LOSE WEIGHT.  In high school I weighed 125lbs and had a very athletic body.  My children have never seen me like that, nor could they imagine me like that.  The other day I was school shopping with the two youngest.  My 5 yr old looked at me and said, "Mommy you are getting skinny!" really loud, right in the middle of the store.  I was proud of myself for losing weight and proud of her for noticing.
I haven't gotten along with my 14 yr old for a while.  It's been something that I just brush off because I know she's at that age where everything I say is stupid.  I have realized that since I've been losing weight, she has been communicating with me.  I've always known that my weight embarrasses her.  I just didn't realize that it was so bad for her that it actually affected our relationship.  I'm starting to see that is the case.  I can't blame her for being that shallow.  She's only 14 years old.  All she thinks about right now are looks and style.  So at least twice a week, I update her on my weight loss.  I can tell that she is happy about it and proud of me.
This fall marks the end of an era.  Actually, the end of two eras.  I will never have another child in preschool, all my babies are in school starting tomorrow.  Secondly, I will never let myself get that overweight again.  This summer has been a turning point in my life.  I know that all my children love me.  I'm not doing this for them, I'm doing it for me.  Their approval and pride in me is, however, an added bonus.