AMERICA. SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2001.
We're all zombies here today.
We somehow find our way to the grocery store or post office like
sleepwalkers.
We stare blankly at the television in disbelief.
We've been getting messages of sympathy from friends around the
world. Thank you. We're glad you're there, and we're glad you care.
This is obviously a dark time for the American people. Our thoughts
are with the victims and the people who love them.
The airports are all closed. Folks who ordinarily rant and rave if their
flight is delayed, seem to be taking it without protest, quietly seeking
another way to get home. Too quietly. Like zombies.
We worry about friends up north. We'll try to call tomorrow.
Today is not a good time to overload the phone lines.
In some different way, all of us are victims. At our house things are
not normal. We are in a state of confusion, disbelief, sadness, and
anger. Maybe we're in shock. I try to make my wife smile with the
occasional light remark, but her regular smile is not working today.
All our projects, so important yesterday, seem trivial.
They're on the back burner for now.
It's inspiring to see how people in New York and Washington risked
their own lives to help each other. I'm proud of Americans tonight,
and it's been a while since I've felt that way. Firefighters, police, and
emergency workers are heroes.
We saw Republicans and Democrats singing a spontaneous God
Bless America together. Touching. I hope they remember the feeling.
It's the way it should be.
Misty said she saw the young workers bagging groceries at the
supermarket almost in tears.
We, even as Democrats, are discussing hopefully that President
George W. Bush might have the potential to be a Harry Truman.
Right now we need somebody to "give 'em hell". This is not a day for
political differences. We hope he kicks butt.
The maniacs that committed these atrocities represent to me what
evil is. I'm glad I'm not president. I'd probably bomb all the suspects
and ask questions later. I know that's wrong, but we're mad as hell
over here. At least I am.
We've seen the pictures on TV all day, over and over, but the reality
is still hard to grasp. We'll watch them over and over again...
even after the television is turned off.
Our country is strong. Our people are tough. I almost forgot that. We'll
get through this, and even be stronger.
In time things will be more like normal, but never quite the same.
I never thought of myself as a super patriot,
but tomorrow I think I'll go out and buy a flag.
Jack Blanchard
Copyright © September 11, 2001 by Jack Blanchard. All rights reserved.
