I think, unfortunately, that it is only when we are faced with tragedy that we remember what's important in life. I think my life's motto (which I rarely live up to) is "be kind" I think if everyone remembers to be kind and live life respecting the thoughts, beliefs, and opinions of others this world would be an even better place to live. I think that unfortunately we are reminded again in the face of a great tragedy, that found this nation losing too many seemingly kind people, what matters. President Obama does not share my political beliefs but sure had my heart with his speech yesterday.
I never thought I would quote Obama but here it goes:
I was very impressed with Obama's speech writer on this one. It brought me to tears practically the whole time. These are my favorite excerpts.
"They believed — they believed and I believe we can be better. Those who died here, those who saved life here — they help me believe. We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another, that's entirely up to us. And I believe that for all our imperfections, we are full of decency and goodness, and that the forces that divide us are not as strong as those that unite us."
"These men and women remind us that heroism is found not only on the fields of battle. They remind us that heroism does not require special training or physical strength. Heroism is here, in the hearts of so many of our fellow citizens, all around us,, just waiting to be summoned — as it was on Saturday morning."
"But at a time when our discourse has become so sharply polarized — at a time when we are far too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the world at the feet of those who think differently than we do — it's important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals.
"Scripture tells us that there is evil in the world, and that terrible things happen for reasons that defy human understanding. In the words of Job, "when I looked for light, then came darkness." Bad things happen, and we must guard against simple explanations in the aftermath.
"For the truth is none of us can know exactly what triggered this vicious attack. None of us can know with any certainty what might have stopped those shots from being fired, or what thoughts lurked in the inner recesses of a violent man's mind. Yes, we have to examine all the facts behind this tragedy. We cannot and will not be passive in the face of such violence. We should be willing to challenge old assumptions in order to lessen the prospects of such violence in the future.
"But what we can't do is use this tragedy as one more occasion to turn on one another. That we cannot do. That we cannot do. As we discuss these issues, let each of us do so with a good dose of humility. Rather than pointing fingers or assigning blame, let us use this occasion to expand our moral imaginations, to listen to each other more carefully, to sharpen our instincts for empathy, and remind ourselves of all the ways our hopes and dreams are bound together.
"So sudden loss causes us to look backward — but it also forces us to look forward, to reflect on the present and the future, on the manner in which we live our lives and nurture our relationships with those who are still with us.
"We may ask ourselves if we've shown enough kindness and generosity and compassion to the people in our lives. Perhaps we question whether we are doing right by our children, or our community, and whether our priorities are in order. We recognize our own mortality, and are reminded that in the fleeting time we have on this Earth, what matters is not wealth, or status, or power, or fame — but rather, how well we have loved, and what small part we have played in making the lives of other people better.
"And so deserving of our good example. If this tragedy prompts reflection and debate, as it should, let's make sure it's worthy of those we have lost. Let's make sure it's not on the usual plane of politics and point scoring and pettiness that drifts away in the next news cycle.
"The loss of these wonderful people should make every one of us strive to be better. To be better in our private lives, to be better friends and neighbors and co-workers and parents. And if, as has been discussed in recent days, their death helps usher in more civility in our public discourse, let us remember that it is not because a simple lack of civility caused this tragedy — it did not — but rather because only a more civil and honest public discourse can help us face up to the challenges of our nation in a way that would make them proud
You can find the video and full transcript of his speech here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41047381/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/
phew - that wasn't so bad.
So today lets say a prayer for Dorwin Stoddard (and his wife Mavanell) who gave his life to save his wife's. When the shooting started he threw his wife to the ground and covered her with his body and was successful.
Let's say a prayer for Dorothy and George Mott who again was trying to save his wife of over 50 years but was unsuccessful and she became one of the victims of the day.
Let's say a prayer for Gabe Zimmerman, Judge Roll, Phyllis Schneck, and Susan Hileman who will unfortunately have a lot of healing to do.
Next let's say a prayer for Bill Badger who was one of the amazing heroes who was able to wrestle the gun away from shooter and most definitely save lives that day.
Lastly, lets say a prayer for the soul of little Christina Green who seemed to have to whole world in her hand and her whole life ahead of her to do great things. She, as her father said, was born to tragedy on 9/11/01 and sadly left this world as a part of it as well.
I would also like to mention that I believe we must keep the shooter in our prayers. It would be the greatest tragedy of all if we don't find a way to try to figure out how to prevent future violence and try to figure out how to heal those around us who are struggling with dark issues.
God Bless America, today and everyday.
This was when we really knew we were finally in Maui. It was a very long day of traveling to get there. We left ND at 6 am and didn't get to Maui until 5:30 pm Hawaiian time (4 hours behind CST). We were very happy to finally get there. It was kind of chaos when we got there because Ross's parent's flight was delayed about an hour which meant that we were all getting there about the same time and had to make a couple trips from the airport to hotel and back again.
Like I said before the four hour time difference kind of got to us and the next morning we were up at 4 am. Wowza we knew we were in for a long (Christmas) day when it started at 4 am. The picture above is us, waaaaay too early in the morning.
