September 11th is such a strange day. How should we commemorate it? Should we commemorate it? A day of prayer? Read all the names of those who died again? Nothing? Never have a birthday party?
It has been important to both Paul and me, that our children understand what happened that day, the sacrifice and heroism, the events of the day and what has happened since. We also want them to appreciate the firefighters and other public servants who stand ready to put themselves in harm's way so we can live our lives without worry and fear.
So in our family, we take a treat or dinner to the firefighters in our neighborhood. We've had four different addressees since 9/11 and everywhere we go I am so thankful for these good men who willingly do such an essential job. Our gesture is a small one and I don't know how meaningful it is to them, but in the giving, it is sincere and heartfelt. Afterward, we come home and we replay our memories, and we look at pictures in the TIME magazine and others I saved, and we talk about what it all means.
What do you do?
2 comments:
A very nice family thing to do. The significant, somber days change with the generations. My parents always noticed "Pearl Harbor Day," but I it meant more to them than to me.
Sweet, I'm always in support of doing something for someone else(especially if it involves food)! At the elementary's they are having "Hero Week" and talking about the events of 9/11. I get that Dean and Kena don't grasp the deep meaning of this day BUT it is important to us that they learn about our countries history and hopefully gain some patriotism. Tempe is hosting the "Healing Fields" (healingfields.org) and that is pretty cool to see.
Post a Comment