This morning my Google Calendar cheerfully reminded me that today is Patriot Day. Which helped me find a place of perspective that I have been sorely missing.
This morning was what you might call "crummy". My
cat threw up all over my bedroom floor, then climbed onto a dresser and
started to let loose again. When nudged him off the dresser, he
managed to puke on my pants as I stepped into the gigantic puddle of puke on the floor. I then had a small(ish to medium-large) meltdown, uttered
some very unladylike words, removed my soiled socks and cleaned up the floor. I don't normally lose it, but it has been an unreasonably stressful few
weeks. My mom was in the hospital with a kidney problem they are still figuring out, my kids went back to school, I'm back in school and working full time and trying to coordinate the kids schedules and be a good mom...and now this ridiculous cat threw off my whole morning! UGH!!
So I got myself ready for work and got the kids to school and when I checked Facebook and I had one of those moments. You know that moment that reality check moment? The one that says 'I know you're overwhelmed, but you do not know real suffering.' Sort of a slap-to-the face of my frustration punctuated by a stern voice saying "SUCK IT UP YOU BIG CRYBABY!".
I watched the outpourings of honor, gratitude, and memory and my heart was humbled. I remember where I was that morning, the horror, shock and disbelief that I felt. But I did not lose any loved ones on 9/11. I did not get a call from my husband on a plane facing immeasurable odds. I did not have to explain to my children why their dad was not coming home. I am awed by the spirit of the folks who were strong enough to keep searching, keep fighting, keep hoping, keep digging. Even more awed by the souls who fight for our country today, who respond when another soul is in need, who are there rain or shine, day or night to keep us safe and who try to save us when we need rescuing.
Patriot Day is an important day to our country, and especially for my generation, because it reminds us that Freedom is not free in a way that no other holiday can. It brings us back to a day that it is so important to remember in a way that none of us will ever forget.
