Photo Friday: And Still She Waves

Julie said it best in a recent post, that no one remembers where they were on September 10th. But September 11th, clearly, We Will Never Forget.

I know that it's September 12th already, but I clearly remember where I was and what I was doing 7 years ago today. I was on my couch where I'd been for 24 hours straight, glued to the TV, still in the same clothes I'd been wearing from the day before. Craig and I were talking about the friends, colleagues and mentors we already knew we'd lost, and praying for those we hadn't heard from yet. You see, 8 months earlier, I would have been coming into the Towers on the subway at the very time the first plane hit. The building I worked in was directly across the street.

Seven years later, I'm still not sure we can make sense of it all. We were at Ground Zero in July, and even though I've been there many times in the past few years, the shock of that gaping hole in the ground still doesn't wear off.

One thing I know, though, and one thing I praise God for, is that even on September 11 and every single day since, our flag still stands. Maybe a little more tattered, maybe a little more torn, but no less bright and no less beautiful. And still, she waves.

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

Blessings,
Kat

Labor Day

Today is Labor Day, the last official long weekend of the summer. It's about more than barbecues and a Monday off, though. From the U.S. Department of Labor:

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Growing up in New York, Labor Day always marked the end of the summer, the return to school, and the start of another long winter. Now that I live in South Florida, we look forward to Labor Day as the time when finally, finally the weather will start to cool off enough that we can actually go outside. For us, it's the beginning of another beautiful winter.

Wherever you live, however you celebrate, take a moment today to think about the contributions our fellow Americans have made to the well-being of our country. Say a prayer for those impacted by Hurricane Gustav, say a prayer for our leaders, say a prayer for our countrymen. Say a prayer of thanks for this great nation we live in.

Whether you're mourning the end of summer of celebrating it:

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~
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Blessings,
Kat

Photo Friday: Happy Birthday, America!

Tonight, my family will celebrate the birthday of The Greatest Country on Earth at The Happiest Place on Earth.

Whatever your 4th of July plans, take a few moments to pause and reflect on all that you're thankful for today, all the blessings you have, all the freedoms you enjoy. After all, isn't that what America is really all about?

Alan, bespren, thanks for the photo!

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

Blessings,
Kat

Celebrating Freedom

Thursday posts are usually reserved for talking about an organization that does good in the world, but on the eve of our national celebration of Independence, I thought this story was quite appropriate for today.

Good in the News: Celebrating Freedom

Late last night, three Americans who had been held hostage in the jungles of Colombia for more than 5 years landed safely on American soil. These three men, Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes and Keith Stansell, were government contractors. Their plane crashed in Colombia in February 2003, and they were captured by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and have been held as prisoners every since. Twelve other hostages were also rescued on Wednesday.

Tomorrow we celebrate America, our independence and our freedom. Let's also celebrate the freedom of these fifteen hostages, and rejoice that three of our fellow Americans are finally home again, where they belong. Most definitely Good in the News!

Read the full story on CNN here: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/07/03/hostages.arrive/index.html

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

Blessings,
Kat