I just returned from a moving rememberance ceremony at the main complex of SSA.
It was short but beautiful. I couldn't help but get teary-eyed at the stories some of the SSA employee's told of thier memories of a year ago.
I was lurking on the thread trying to catch up with everyone. The graphics and the photos were moving and touching. (More tears!)
God bless you all!
When I got up this morning, I wasn't sure of what frame of mind I would be in today. When I went to bed early last evening, my heart was heavy. In geting dressed for work, I made sure I wore my Stars 'n Stripes shirt that looks as though it was made from a flag. After feeling so disgusted yesterday following the "class discussion" we had in the morning, I didn't know what today would bring.
At first, I didn't see too many people walking by my office with patriotic colors displayed. That made me angry. Only a few people commented to me about my attire, most of the others averted their eyes when they saw me. My mood really starten to darken. But then, around 8:40, one of the department managers came around and asked if I would like to join her group for the Moment of Silent Prayer. My first inclination was to decline and just keep to myself in my office, but then I thought, what the heck?
Her people were gathered over in one corner, each one holding hands with their neighbor. I broke in between two people and grasped their hands. The manager then began an invocation that brought me to tears.
She prayed to the Almighty Father asking for His blessings for the victims and the victims' families. She asked Him to bless and keep safe our police, fire and emergency personnel. She asked Him to shower blessings upon our military people and those that govern us. She asked Our Father to bless and guide our President and those who work with him. She prayed for world peace and asked that Our Lord would bless and watch over all of us and our families.
Her prayer lasted several minutes and through it all, someone had left a radio on in their cube. The radio announced the arrival of President Bush and the ensuing moment of silence. I couldn't help myself as I dissolved in tears - tears of hurt, anger, sadness and frustration.
Underneath it all, I felt a great weight lift from my shoulders. Today is a day of depthless and boundless sorrows. Yet, I saw beyond the pettiness and uncaring attitudes of some of my fellow co-workers and I felt HOPE. When I looked more closely at some of my co-workers, I saw that those who had either forgotten or chosen not to wear red, white and blue today were now wearing 4" x 5" sticker flags on their clothes that someone had passed around. Just seeing those little stick-on flags filled me with joy.
Yes, there IS HOPE!
God Bless all of you, my dear FReeper FRiends, from one very proud American.
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Hi, Lib! : )