As many, I existed in a stupor for much of the past couple of days. I didn’t know what to think, and my brain and emotions had largely shut down. At times, I found myself overwhelmed by grief an anger.
Then, yesterday evening on the train home, I couldn’t help but be stricken by the glorious sunshine on this beautiful late summer day. It was as though I was seeing the beauty around me with new eyes.
Walking home, I realized anew how marvelous the flag looked in front of my home. I sat on my deck and slowly sipped a Leinie Northwoods Lager. Mmmmmm. I could hear my two youngest children playing spud on the street behind our house, and my eldest was practicing flute up in her bedroom. I thrw a tennis ball for my dog Daisy.
Ms D came home, and I took the time to appreciate how fortunate I was, to have such a spectacular lifemate. Dinner never tasted better - burgers on the grill. Afterwards I counted the freckles on my youngest’s nose. We argued whether it was 36 or 37. Then I was serenaded by my son playing various Star Wars songs on his trumpet.
As a family we laughed through an episode of the Honeymooners - Ralph inherited a “Fortune.” Then, after tucking in my darlings, I made long slow love to my wife. And fell asleep between the warmth of her body and the refreshing breeze through the window.
Life is good.
Through your barbarism, you forced me to see that anew. As never before, I am committed to enjoying the hell out of every moment I have. For that I thank you.
Dinsdale, I’m guessing you’re a swell guy motivated by goodwill for your fellow man and thus find the destruction terrible.
But speaking for thousands of people, please shut your goddamn mouth. For you in any way to connect the violent deaths of as many as 15,000 innocent Americans with your new-found appreciation of life is repugnant. You and your stupid post have trivialized a hideous act of terror and smacks of egocentrism at its worst and then you pile it on by thanking butchers. This isn’t irony, it’s just sick.
Frankly, I have not been basking in the soft glow of the afternoon sun, amazed at how wonderful my stupid dog is. My only thought is grief–along with my hope that every fucking terrorist is caught and has his neck slit.
tsunami, just expressing my opinion on how I am resolved to approach my life with a renewed joy. While I will not forget or minimize these events, neither will I be held hostage by them. Life is too precious and too short.
Certainly feel free to lead your life as you see fit, and to express your opinions as you desire. Ain’t this country, and our life in it, great?
tsunamisurfer, at the risk of being repetitive, I think it’s just Dinsdale’s way of coping with the grief. I don’t see how it’s sick, and I doubt that he feels less grief about this than any of the rest of us.
So what if it took such a tragedy to make him appreciate life again? Not all positive thoughts are out of place, even in such terrible times.
Lay off Dinsdale. I suppose that everyone who isn’t feeling and expressing the exact same emotions as you is an asshole? Not quite.
Grief and anger are fully understandable in these circumstances, but so is finding a new appreciation for those you love.
If we learned anything on Tuesday, it is that horror and death can strike out of the blue. Appreciation of what you have is not repugnant. Tsunamisurfer, I think you owe Dinsdale an apology.
In an earlier post I said that I’d like to find the terrorists and beat them to death with a golf club, and I still feel that way.
However, I am now thanking Dinsdale (whom I’ve never had the opportunity to tell how much I love that Monty name!!) for having sucha splendid night.
I’ve been ground down, my wife and I are both having a tough time sleeping – both having bad dreams. I’ve been grief-stricken, angry and miserable for days.
I’m happy Dinsdale has again realized he should be happy for what he’s got while he’s got it. He’s got a clear conscience and can still say his prayers for our countrymen and do what he can to help.
We should all take from his example; Enjoy our lives and enjoy helping the lives of those who need our help.
Somehow I think if we don’t go on and try to enjoy life, They Will Have Won.
I refuse to let them acomplish what they were after. They will not win this one. America will go on, they will not make us run and hide.
Certainly, it is a terrible tragedy. Thousands of people had their lives ripped away from them. Millions more have been affected. But do you see what the terrorists are after? They want us to dig a hole, crawl in and pull the hole in after us.
We owe it to the victims to go on. They can’t, so we must. I had to work on Tuesday, children still get sick. I felt sick at my stomach, still not sleeping well.
I can’t and won’t forget what happened Tuesday. But we can’t let them feel victorious about this.
Dinsdale,
I want to thank you for the great post. My wife and I have also been numb and horror-stricken over the events of the past few days. It seems that every time I try to get a handle on what’s happened, I only end up running away from it. Your way of dealing with it seems healthy and I will try to emulate it.
I’m sorry that Tsunami responded that way. He (She?) seems to be stuck in the rage that many people are feeling right now. I hope his point of view does not win out with the general population, but I have my doubts. The mood here is more blood thirsty than I’ve experienced in 30 years.
You’ve given me the idea of grabbing a bottle of wine and going to watch the sunset in the park with my wife. It seems like a healthier way to react. Thanks.
Dinsdale and others who agree with him: Approximately 5000 families just will not wake up as you and celebrate the sun, eat well and seek some entertainment. I respect your wonderful feeling but some of us are empathetic to those that are suffering with loss of a friend or loved ones and do not feel like celebrating the glories of tomorrow…not yet anyway.
I do agree in the following, however: What we can do is elevate the elements of our character and instill this in our children to help reduce the amt. of pain no matter what the degree that we may inflict on others
I think that’s the point, MadSam.; I live only 50 miles from NYC but there is not a day that I have not I hve not cried. I love that city.
You think this is sitting well with us?
I CAN;T do anything more… I am in the US Army and I have been working extra shifts with an upcoming surgeryn and all. I can’t even get off base to help these people, but I have heve trouble sleeping at night thinking about their suffering. If I could be there helping them … good God, would I!!!