This was written by a friend of mine. It’s glurge, you won’t find it on Snopes; it’s legit.
Just read. And enjoy.
“No more lives torn apart,
That wars would never start
and time would heal all hearts.
Everyone would have a friend
and right would always win.
And love would never end.”
[ul][list][list][list]–Amy Grant[/ul][/list][/list][/list]
"Well I’m all grown up now, and still need help somehow.
I’m not a child, but my heart still can dream. So here’s my lifelong wish. My grown-up Birthday Wish. Not for myself, but for a world in need.
"This weekend I celebrate my 24th birthday. When I was a child in grade school that would have meant streamers and cake, presents and a party with friends. While I hope to still share a few precious moments with some friends this weekend, I know many of those dear to me will be too far away to see. And while mom might still get me something, my need for the latest toy with all the fancy lights and whistles is vastly diminished from when I was five. But there is still a way to share the day with me, and a present I fervently hope to receive.
"On September 11th, the world stopped. The outpouring of support for victims was overwhelming, and one of the most evident ways of that was in the lines of donors to give blood. That was almost 2 months ago. Donated blood has a shelf life of around 45 days, which means that the vast stockpiles from the immediate aftermath of the tragedy will soon need to be replaced.
"The greatest tribute, the greatest living memorial we can make to the victims of 9-11 is that that day will not just be the one when the world stopped, but the day when the world changed. For the better. That the legacy burned into our hearts and minds is not the fear and uncertainty of where the next plane would strike, or what scourge disease would be in our mail, but the hope and compassion for those in need.
"My grown-up Birthday Wish, the present I would ask you to give me this weekend, is to go out and donate blood. There is still a lot of need in this world to be met: American servicemen fighting terrorism, civilian victims in Afghanistan, even the anthrax victims here in the United States. (Who knows – the life you save by donating could be mine! After all, I’m still living in Washington DC.) And even that discounts the daily need of people suffering as victims of crime or accidents or natural illness.
"There is much to do to make the world a better place; it won’t happen overnight, and it won’t happen all at once. But it can happen. And it starts with one person doing something to try and make a difference. We cannot let the moment of 9-11 pass by, but rather must embrace it and make it an eternal part of us. I hope that we have seen the worst of what will happen, and no more planes will crash into buildings, nor people get sick from anthrax. I also hope that we still have yet to see the best of what can
happen, and that we will be one step closer to the world described in those song lyrics.
"This is my grown-up Birthday Wish.
Love,
Matt :)"