Being Human
By Adam Graham (08/14/06)
Within hours of the successful capture of British Muslims accused of planning an attack on American airlines, liberals were finding a way to bash Bush, while conservatives were trumpeting Bush’s success in the war on terror.
My blog remained silent on the issue. I made a decision to stay away from the tacky displays on both sides of the aisle. It was a day that should have been met with celebration, by all sides of the political spectrum, but instead the order of the day was spin.
The truth is that neither Republicans nor Democrats deserve the most credit for an international coup that snared men in not only England, but also Italy and the United States. This credit belongs to the men and women of law enforcement who safeguard the security of free people in those countries.
I, like the rest of us get annoyed by seemingly silly security practices that occur in many of our nation’s airports. But, I comply because I know that they have a job to do: keeping the free world secure from terrorists. Without the valiant effort of these brave men and women, major terrorist attacks would have been perpetrated on our nation.
It should cause us to be thankful to God. It seems that we, as a nation like to turn to God only in time of trouble and ask for Him to help. Our churches should have been as full as they were following 9/11, full of those who’d thank a God who guided us out of harms way. We always ask, “Why God?” whenever something bad happens, but never think of thanking him of when his great mercy is shown.
It should also cause us to reflect on what matters most. On 9-11, I was a 20-year old newly engaged college student. I had a lot of priorities out of order. Yet, 9/11 forced me to look at my life and realize what mattered most: faith, love, and family. I also awoke to the reality that life needed to be lived honestly in a way that was faithful to God. It was too short to spend trying to please others. I thought of those who died who had never really lived and knew I needed to stop playing let’s pretend.
Life changed for me after that day. I knew whatever happened, I wanted my wife by my side. I had to be myself and not what someone else thought I needed to be.
In the five years since 9-11, I worked hard on the floor of an outsourced call center and then for an in-house center, and finally have been promoted to quality assurance. I aim to succeed and build a good life for my wife. Yet, sometimes I feel like I’m the man who built the Taj Mahal. Legend tells the story that he built the great structure to honor his late wife and got engrossed in all of its detail. One day he stubbed his toe on her casket and ordered “that box” removed, not even remembering what it was.
At this time, in my life, one thing is of utmost importance as my wife returns from caring for her mother in Ohio: a safe landing in Boise. I work as hard and as long as I do because I love her and want her, and any children the Lord may bless us with, to have a good life.
Liberal Boise New West Publisher Jill Kuratis clung to her husband before a Friday Morning flight to Europe, writing, “After 24 years of marriage, he knows when only this will do. And I know when only that will set the world in order.”
Our 24 hour news cycle demands spin at the speed of light, but I chose to ignore the issue and give time to silence, to contemplation, and reflection. Soon, I’ll join the fray, but forgive me for taking a few moments to respond as a human being and an American.
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