How do I begin writing about 9-11? I know the blogging world is writing about this topic from just about every angle possible. I hesitate not because I fear I have nothing new to say on the subject, but because I fear I will be misunderstood.
I find myself beginning again with the power of words. It’s painful to keep referring to “the attacks.” It takes longer to say the “terrorist attacks on 9-11-01.” There is no simple, neat & clean way to refer to the tragedy of that day. But we’ve done our best, knowing that when we say 9-11 we mean one infamous day one particular September that we will never forget.
For me, 9-11 means something entirely different than it does to most of the rest of the world. On September 11th, an undisclosed number of years ago, my brother was born. Yet on the day September 11th became terribly important to the rest of the world, he quietly decided it was just another day.
Is it possible that by reducing the horrible events of that day to a number we diminish the loss, the violation, and the anguish of what happened? At the same time, we increase the power the terrorists’ actions with our sanitary shorthand. The terrorist attacks of 9-11-01 caused immeasurable suffering to those who lost loved ones, as well as our whole country. Should we let it take away the meaning of the everyday events, the birthdays, the anniversaries, and celebrations of our lives? It just doesn’t seem right to let the terrorists take anything more from us.
Current Read: The Jesus I Never Knew, Philip Yancey
Current Music: Lifesong, Casting Crowns
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1 comment:
So thought-provoking. I think simple everyday things become more significant in light of "that day." I think your brother should celebrate his life with joy--a birthday is the best thing in the world, in my opinion.
By the way, love that Philip Yancey book--That is so cool to share your current read and music.
I LOVE this blog.
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