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September 19, 2001 - Of Thee I Sing
Welcome to 2TheHeart!
"And yet, when I look up at the sky, I somehow feel that everything will change for the better, that this cruelty too shall end, that peace and tranquility will return once more."
~~Anne Frank~~
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Today's story by Maria Harden, a Canadian, touched me very deeply, as it shows so beautifully how America is loved all around the world, and that we are not alone. We have many neighbors who are hurting with us.
"OF THEE I SING"
by Maria Harden
Morning is my favorite time to practice the piano. Because I am an adult student, I have to actually practice harder than those who have had lessons since they were children. I struggle to make small strides each week, and am at the point now where I can play simple songs.
Today I was trying hard to learn, "America, the Beautiful," and was having difficulty. Again and again, I tried to get it right, always stumbling on the same section. "Why do I have to play this song anyway?" I thought, frustrated. "I'm not even American. I'm Canadian!"
The notes sounded harsh coming from my untrained fingers. I longed to make the piano sing, and attempted it once more, softer this time, but with more majesty. Not bad. A few more weeks and I just might get it. I flipped through the pages of the music book and found other American songs: "The Star Spangled Banner," and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." It was an American music book, but I still grumbled a bit inwardly that "O Canada" was not in the repertoire.
I took a break, and turned my attention to the TV where the most heinous terrorist attack in U.S. history, was unfolding before the eyes of the world. For a moment I thought it was a bad movie, but no producer could possibly dream this up. I stared in stunned disbelief, unable to fully grasp this horrific event that had torn America asunder. It was like Armageddon had arrived in an epidemic of evil. While I had been playing about the beautiful, spacious
skies, those same skies were now filled with smoke and flames, ash and debris. The amber waves of grain were crushed by a doomed airliner, forced to crash in a field, in a selfless act of heroism.
Just when we believe the world to be a glorious world, where people live in peace, where love binds us all together, this ugly atrocity made a mockery out of all that is good. Looking away from the devastation for a moment, I stared at a calendar on the wall, and suddenly I saw it. Today was September 11, the eleventh day of the ninth month. 911.
Sickened, I continued to watch the news reports unfold. It is a natural response, to want to hunt down and punish the perpetrators of such a cowardly deed, but I had mixed feelings of America's need for retaliation and revenge. To retreat or to attack, that is the question.
But, evil begets evil.
Talks of an imminent war rumbled throughout the day, and I felt sick at the implications. Even though I live in Canada, war is far-reaching and would affect all of us. Is annihilation of a suspected country the answer, or would this just result in a global disaster? I prayed that the powers that be would not resort to chemical warfare, as this could mean the end of everything we stand for.
Although the destruction of the buildings was atrocious, the loss of thousands of lives was the real tragedy. The World Trade Center and the Pentagon have stood proudly for many years, workplaces for thousands, landmarks for all to see, but buildings can be rebuilt. Lives cannot.
I felt overwhelming sorrow for the victims of this senseless slaughter, and for their loved ones. I remember the same heartsick feeling, when I mourned the NASA Challenger disaster, the Oklahoma City bombing, and those lost in the crash of Swiss Air Flight 111 in Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia. National disasters affect us all, no matter who we are or where we live.
A nation may be on their knees, but let it not be in defeat, but in prayer. Remember an avalanche begins with a single stone. Be a stone and pray for the country's leaders to do the right thing.
I may not be American, but I feel deeply for every American at this devastating time. To paraphrase the late John F. Kennedy, "Geography has made us neighbors. History has made us friends."
I went back to the piano and the music book. Funny, the song seemed to flow much easier now, as I played straight from my heart. "And crown thy good with brotherhood.." The words I sang made me wish naively that brotherhood would resolve everything. The last verse of the anthem really hit home, and I fervently hoped that these words written by Katharine Lee Bates so many years ago, would once more ring out in truthful song.
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!
Maria Harden
©2001
Maria feels a strong affiliation for Americans affected by this disaster, and dedicates this story to anyone who may have lost a loved one. She sends her compassion and love to all her "southern neighbors." Maria lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, where she spends her days writing and her mornings playing the piano. See her first story on 2TheHeart at http://www.2theheart.com/aug22_01.
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The Letter Box:
Dear Friends,
This is an important time of hope in America. A time for us all to come together. My family like yours has been hit hard by the events of the last days. We have found comfort in a special Movicard on our home page and I hope it will help you as well. It is entitled "Hope".
God Bless You,
Richard Weedn, Flavia.com
http://www.flavia.com/
Ronnie,
Your poetry on 2theheart today was a gift. Most welcome and poignant. And so very appreciated. If nothing else, we have come away from the past weeks events with one fact, we ALL have come to know the full implications of, and comprehension of... the brevity of life.
Your lovely words are a timely reminder, God sent to us all from your heart. I thank you for them, and wish there was a great world forum for every eye to see them. I just want to tell you thank you, and I appreciate you very much.
You were sent to the US as a blessing to us all. Now may He, from His riches in glory, bless you most of all.
Sincerely,
Linda M. Carlson
jljc@netins.net
Ronnie,
What stunning words you've penned! Once again you've shown what an incredible talent you possess and I'm so very glad Susan has brought you, along with your lovely wife, to the 2theHeart family. I had no idea you were such a talented poet--but I'm surely glad I know now! -- and I look forward to reading more of your beautiful poetry. Keep it up; I can guarantee you a lifetime audience. :-)
Yours,
Deb Simmons
simmons@pathwaynet.com
2theheart, (From our Heart Notes page)
I would like to thank all the 2the Heart members who have sent such wonderful and comforting messages here, in the daily stories and by e-mail to our homes. Pat Lowe and Kathe Campbell have once again done such works of love in word and graphic form for each of us.
I guess we each in our own way express the pain to ease it and then offer hope for the future:
In Retrospect - Angel Wings
Locked into the usual routine,
I did not see or sense
How frantic the angels were.
The subtle breeze, feather soft,
Lost, in the steady stream
Of anxious forms, up and up,
Minds and hearts on automatic,
Dull to the urgency of God.
Out for a morning paper stroll,
I did not see or sense
How frantic the angels were
The subtle breeze, feather soft,
Shocked into stillness, dazed
At the pristine moment
When the white wings hovered
Against the blue sky, seconds short
Of the white rectangle with windows
And my soul in silent scream
At the impact I could not believe.
Hugging my fuzzy yellow bear,
My hand in mama's soft grasp,
I did not see or sense
How frantic my angels were.
The subtle breeze, feather soft,
Stifled by my mother's strong arms,
Pulling me to her heart and soul--
Her final kiss as we winged our way
Through skies of radiant light.
With tears and mourning, hope and care,
We walk through smoke, debris, and loss,
Seeing and sensing the magnitude of despair
With the courage of prayer, God lighting our way,
The persistence of service, sacrificing for freedom,
The renewal of patriotism, inspiring our hearts--
The wings of angels enfold us with heavenly blessing
As the love of God gentles us with feather-soft breezes.
©200l Mary-Ellen Grisham
September 19, 2001
fantasy@apci.net
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