There is a lot of good that comes with this month. Friends birthdays (seriously, the whole family is in on this), my little man, Wookie, will be 12 soon, football and the possibility of actually getting some cooler weather.
But it is always greeted with a bit of a melancholy mood because the 9/11 anniversary is coming up quick. Ten years the towers fell and sometimes it feels like I am back in my small apartment watching it all unfold like it was yesterday. This is one day that I try to mark with a chance to revisit the history and cringe at some whitewashing that has been going on within the media.
Sure, I remember when Elvis died, Regan got shot, the Challenger exploding right in front of my class. But for me, I didn’t really understand the lasting effects that those tragedies had because I was so you. I was 27, waiting for all my paperwork to be approved for my new job and was going to enjoy the day by the pool. Instead I woke up to Tower 1 on fire and Katie Couric saying they weren’t sure what had happened.
Some might find it weird that I try to watch all the documentaries about it, try to catch the families as they call out their loved ones lost that day and pile more books on my must read list. For me it helps me understand more. Through tears I watched everything unfold on the tv and since internet still wasn’t a thing you used all the time, I relied heavily on the tv. Having been taught the fine journalism skills in high school and college, I took pen to paper and wrote all the facts down, thinking that maybe I could make sense of it all. Silly? Probably. But I did it anyway.
But with each September there also comes a chance to feel grateful for what I have, Bird was born this month, as well as her husband and kids. Wookie, who has become the king around this place, reminds me that there is good even when you think the world is coming to an end.
I am looking forward to this month. A time to visit with friends, to go see Ole Miss at Vandy, a baby shower and keep myself on track by eating healthy, drinking lots of water and exercising. It won’t be easy but it will be worth it in the end. I want to be able to look in the mirror and not cringe. I also want to remember to be grateful for what I have in my life because things can change in an instance.
Happy Labor Day weekend to all, may it be filled with laughter, family and friends! Oh! And per one of my friends on the royal court, Jack Daniels was born this month. Happy birthday Jack, I will drink one in your honor.
Stumbling Through Life 