Last night I struggled to fall asleep… around 10:00 I finally drifted into lala land. At 10:45 Mr. Bear came rushing into the bedroom, turned on the lights and the tv, and told me to get my glasses. He said, “You have to see this.” I moaned and groaned… grabbed my glasses… looked at the tv… and when my eyes focused in the light, I murmured, “Oh my goodness.” Glaring on the screen was this headline:
BREAKING NEWS: OSAMA BIN LADEN DEAD
American Troops had finally found and killed the Al Queda leader, responsible for the 9/11 attacks on the United States. I stayed up past 1am watching the news, completely shell shocked by the fact that they had actually found the terrorist and killed him. I know the war against terror is not over and that our troops are not coming home. However, people who have lost family and friends in 9/11 and people who felt violated and crushed by the attacks, now have a sense of peace.
I watched hundreds of people chant and cheer outside the White House and hundreds of people sing and celebrate in NYC. It was a momentous occasion I will never forget watching – filled with both joy and melancholy. President Obama made a speech that I found very moving…”Americans can do whatever we set our minds to. … We are one nation, under god, indivisible for liberty and justice for all.”
What do you think of the news?
I think it’s a complicated answer. On one hand, I am glad that some redemption has come for those who suffered in the 9/11 attacks. However, I think retaliation will come back to us. I think we need to focus on peace efforts between everyone, we all need to live on this earth together. I have a healthy level of fear and hope for the future, though!
I am so thankful for everyone who has loved ones overseas or was deeply hurt by the 9/11 attacks, this must be a huge feeling of peace for them. I am so proud and thankful to our troops for making us that much safer!!