Thursday, September 11, 2008

Much to be thankful for today

I'm actually playing along with Tib today, as I have much to be thankful for.

1. My hubby got a new job. Actually, he got his old job back, but its still a great thing. Last year, he quit a good job for the promise of a better job. Unfortunately, the better job closed its doors a short 3 months after he was hired. Its been a difficult year since then, but his old boss hired him back - with great benefits and an even better salary!
2. Rain! The weather has been fantastic this week: highs in the 70s, lows in the 50s, and rain! I can't stop smiling. And my yard looks fantastic.
3. America. I couldn't let the anniversary of 9/11 pass without recognition. I so vividly remember that day, 7 years ago. I had only been home from my honeymoon for 3 weeks - we took a cruise, and sat next to a couple from New York City. He was a fireman, and she a police officer. I still think of them, and wonder how they fared that day - I don't remember their names. But I am so grateful for those who have sacrificed to make this such a great country. When I think about all the poverty and suffering in the world, I am humbled to think how blessed I am to be lived where I do.
4. My feet. That may seem like a silly thing to be grateful for, but I am. I've been having some pain in my left foot that has limited my running in the past month (and left me wondering still if I'll run the marathon next week). But I'm grateful that I can run, even if just a little bit.
5. Slobbery kisses from my kids - needs no explanation

10 comments:

cake expectations said...

Yay for Ben's job! That is awesome!

Me said...

Just thought I would share my memories of 09/11/2001 on this somber anniversary...

At the time I was working at the State Department in an annex building across the street from the main building. Shortly after the first plane hit, I walked into the hallway with TVs that had constant newsfeeds and stopped and stared with a small group that had gathered to watch. I watched in dumbstruck horror as the live feed showed the second plane hit (wow, I am already tearing up as I type), and knew right away that these were no accidents. As many were that day, I was glued to the TV. The feed then changed to a familiar landmark, one that I often walked by...the Old Executive Office Building. I saw the smoke billowing over the building (now knowing it was from the plane that had hit the Pentagon across the river) and I realized that the attacks were not limited to New York, and thought perhaps that the White House, very few blocks away, had been hit. Knowing that my job was not critical in such times, I quickly called my wife and told her that I was leaving and would contact her again shortly. I walked down the street to my University, which I felt was an unlikely target and continued to watch the news. Then rumors of a car bomb at the State Department swirled(which ultimately were not true), so I went outside to see the smoke (again later known to be from the Pentagon) pouring over the State Department. I again called my wife and said that I would be coming home (35 miles away), but that I would be walking so I would see her I would see her. I decided against taking the Metro back home, as I did not know the scale of the terrorist attacks and I had been in Japan when a terrorist group gas attacked the subway system...no underground death trap for me. As I walked passed the metro, I saw a large man break down in sobs as he listened to the radio. At that point, I felt like I was an emmotionless robot who was programmed just to get back home to my wife as soon as possible. I give thanks to heaven that I had worn gym shoes that day, the first and only time to work in my whole life, for I ultimately walked 10 miles in the DC humidity. There seemed like thousands of us walking (and probably were), like white-collared refugees. I was deeply touched at the humanity displayed the same day as such great inhumanity as people walked out of there houses to offer us cold drinks of water as we continued our journey. I was also blessed to have joined up with fellow refugees who lived near my home, so when one of their friends was able to pick them up, they took me the remaining 25 miles to my home. There are no real words to express how I felt that day and the days that followed. At best it can be described as surreal. How weird it was to see armed vehicles manned by military personnel in our Nation's capitol on every street corner during the weeks that followed...I give thanks to all of those military forces who fight and protect this great country, I mourn with those who lost friends and family, and my love of country continues to burn strong within...God continue to bless this great land, and may we be spared from similar evil attacks against the innocent.

Ruhiyyih Rose said...

Wow. Hard to follow that guys' comments. Thanks for posting your Thankful list - it reminds us all to have an attitude of gratitude!

Jan said...

I'm more trivial than that - I'm focused on the feet thing. You're right to be grateful -- I had 2 surgeries this past year (1 on each foot) and they will never be the same. You don't realize how much you use them till they hurt all the time.

And of course, 9/11 has changed us all.

tiburon said...

Great post Christie - lots to be thankful for today :)

Thanks for playing along!

Omgirl said...

Congratulations on Ben's new job!!! I bet that is a huge relief.

Lynita said...

Whoo hoooo! I am so glad that Ben only has to work one job and that the salary and benefits are better! I am thankful that while I am waddling/hobbling everywhere right now, that my condition is not permanant like so many others. I am also thankful that my baby is big and healthy because it means he is probably going to born perfectly healthy.

Corrie- said...

Hi long-time friend! It's so fun to read what you've been up to. I'm glad you found me. It looks like you've been blogging for awhile, I have lots of reading to catch up on! Please say hi to Jenny for me too!

janae said...

Congrats on the new job. That is so exciting! 9/11 is such a hard day for so many people. We are so blessed to live here.

Misty said...

Great list - I LOVE my country too!