Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Still Remembering For My Country

Since I was no longer a single student staying up way too late, hanging out with my roommates or my boyfriend; I figured I could handle an early morning college class.  It was the beginning of my junior year of college; I was a newlywed of 3 months and loving life.  Eric and I were both going to school full time and working part time.  We had a little 1 bedroom apartment but felt like we were rich with our little box TV and brand new DVD player.

I trudged into class, students were all gathered together talking.  'I heard a plane hit the Twin Towers' some of the students were saying.  We all wondered if this was true.   A few more students came into class saying the same thing.  It must be true.

There were no smart phones, no twitter, no Facebook that we could quickly turn to to confirm if this was true.  I had a cell phone, a large brick of a phone that was actually pretty advanced with a black and white game of SkipBo on it.

We all wondered what had happened.  As soon as class ended we all hurried to the nearest TV.  It was true.  Planes had hit the Twin Towers in New York City.

We were all shocked and not quite sure what to do.

I had a doctors appointment after my class and headed to that as I normally would.  The waiting room was silent, everyone's eyes glued to the TV they had brought into the waiting room.  I sat there watching the coverage, watching people run, hearing the speculations as to what could have happened, then I saw it live, the second tower collapse.  

People cried freely and held each others hands.  What happened to our country?

I will never forget that day.  I will always remember.  

I also remember what happened after; flights were canceled, security went to all new levels-- but so did something else.

The country's pride.  The number of American Flags that were flown by peoples homes.  Peoples desire to step up, help out, be a little more kind, be more united.

Those terrorists wanted to hurt us and they did but they also made us stronger.

Now 12 years later in a world of instant communication and instant gratification, too many have forgotten.  They have forgotten that his country was founded on freedom.  A freedom to work, the freedom to prosper and have the American dream because of hard work and determination.

Far too many want the American Dream for nothing; they feel entitled to have it handed to them, to be taken care of.   This is not the America I love.  This is not the America that everyone cried over that day 12 years ago.

The American Dream is not meant to be handed out like a participation trophy to everyone who plays. It's meant to be worked for, fought for, something that we desire with everything that we are.

It is our right to work, our right to try hard, our right to try and better our lives.

It is not our right, or our children's right to be given a free ride, a place to live, or even a phone.  Just because everyone has one is never a reason for anything. Things that we have should be earned because we have helped in the home (and in the world), shown that we are responsible, and have earned it.   

Sometimes life is hard and it will be and it will seem unfair; this is the time to tighten our belts, cut back and work even harder.  It is not a time to keep trying to live like the Jone's just because 'it isn't fair'.

Life is not fair.

Something needs to change and it starts with you and me.

It starts with us understanding that in life there may be times that we all will need hand-ups but never hand-outs.   This country, our children, this society needs a little tough love.  A little wake up call, a lesson in life.  As moms we know all too well that there is only so much we give before we totally lose it.  How can this country survive by just giving and giving?  It is going to lose it. 

I will not stand idly by and let that happen.  I will fight, in my own way, in my own home, in my own city and state. I will fight by educating myself and my children and by stepping up and speaking out.   I will help those in need by helping them learn how to help themselves.  I am not going to hand out free fish, I am going to teach a man to fish.  To whom much is given, much is required and I will give- but my giving will be in ways that can help change a life forever not just for a day.

This is the American Dream, this is what those terrorists tried to take away from us on that awful September day.  Don't let them win! Don't let them win through entitlement, laziness and dependency.  

I am living the American Dream because I have worked and am working to deserve it.


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Linking up with Shell's Pour Your Heart Out

17 comments:

  1. I've been a quiet reader of your blog for a long time. today is a good day to high five you! awesome post! :)

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    1. Thank you thank you! So glad you commented and this is often the way I find new blogs as I always eventually try to make it to everyone who comments.

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  2. AMEN over and over again!!!! My children do not have phones because I insist they be able to pay for them. So when they are 16 and can work, they can have a phone, but still with restrictions. We make them work, because hard work is the ONLY way you earn things. You said so many things that need to be said. The American Dream is not one of entitlement! Kudos!!

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    1. Yes! It is crazy how many young kids I see with phones, not only does that seem like it could set up problems but you know those phones were probably just given to them. With my kids now they can earn money for doing jobs, chores IF they doi them without whining and complaining. They have to do the jobs because they are part of the family and it is their responsibility; but if they do take initiative, don't have to reminded a ton of times, and whine then they can receive allowance for it.

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  3. I remember the flags too and there was a tear out newspaper flag in the paper. I saw those on almost every house window in town after that.

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    1. That's right there was one in my newspaper too, I forgot about that.

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  4. Love this post.

    I'm sure there isn't a person old enough who will ever forget that day.

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    1. Thank you! Yes, I don't think we will ever forget

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  5. I remember the flags too and the silence overhead. I used to live near Dulles Airport in Northern Virginia. The skies were silent for days.

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    1. That would be so eerie and just a constant reminder, though right after I don't think we all could do anything but think about it

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  6. Replies
    1. Thank you so much! Thank you for tweeting about it too

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