Saturday, September 10, 2011


These pictures were captured by my uncle this past week.  He visited the beach location where I vacationed every summer for as long as I can remember.  Since I did not visit there this summer, I was thrilled to see these reminders.  Feeling sad and sentimental to begin with, from watching the September 11, 2001 Fox News memorial accounts, I found myself caught up in the sadness of the moment.  You see, these beach pictures remind me of my dad who spent so much time with us at this beach location.  We rode bicycle on this boardwalk many times during the early morning hours of our vacation.  He has been gone 14 years now, but the memories are fresh for me today.  That leads me to think of so many people in our country today whose memories are still fresh, and the wounds still deep, as they remember back.  



I thought of all the many years that I spent with my family, on these beaches.  I thought of the time I spent riding bike with my dad and sibblings, during the early morning hours.  I missed my dad so much as I looked through all these pictures.  I thought of all those who lost their loved ones during the brutal attacks on our country, who will no longer ride bike with those they love, either.



I thought of all the disrupted lives of so many.  Terrorism is so cruel and certainly no respector of persons.




As I listen to the speeches of past presidents and many of those involved on that 9/11 day, I was also reminded of how easy it is for all of us to take every day for granted.  Those who lost their lives on 9/11, started out their days like every other.  They stepped out into the brilliant day of bright sun and clear blue skies.  They had no idea what the next hours of their lives would hold.  We don't know either.  Each hour is a gift.







Along the boardwalk of this beach location, are miles of gorgeous, well maintained homes.  I remember stopping and looking at these homes many times, and wondering what it would be like to live in them, or to visit in them.  The gardening designs of each of them, are exceptional.




Flowers grow everywhere on the island.
















"God bless America,
Land that I love,
Stand beside her and guide her, through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains,
To the oceans,
To the prairies white with snow,
God bless America, our Home Sweet Home."




May we as Americans, never, ever forget. 




 May we treasure our freedom as a country.

Thanks to my uncle for sharing his photography skills with us, and for reminding me of some very special memories in my life. 
Today I am also so thankful for those who continue to give their lives for the freedom we still have here in America.

9 comments:

Melinda said...

AMEN!!!!!!


Melinda

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

God Bless America...I think thats the heart cry of all tonight.

Judy said...

None of us will ever forget...but we made need the occasional reminder that each hour is a gift. Thank-you!

Debbie said...

Thank you for the beautiful photos and the reminder of what we have and how fragile it is! We won't forget as long as we remind each other!
Debbie

Christine said...

I remember just where and what I was doing, just like it was last week.
This weekend I am remembering and praying.

Thank you Uncle for the great pictures.

lindsey said...

Thank you for this post Judy. We are remembering America today, our daughter was working in NY on 9/11 and spent many days following helping the Salvation Army down at Ground Zero. It is always a time that we remember, she watched from her rooftop in Brooklyn with others from her church, as the second plane flew into the tower and we didn't hear from her for 5 long days. This week we have lost my husbands mother too,and have just returned from spending the weekend with her husband. So thank you for your lovely post which has brought me comfort as we too have been remembering

Connie said...

Beautiful photos and beautiful memories....always love stopping by. Enjoyed seeing your birthday breakfast for your daughter and making cupcakes with your little grands...you sure are busy. Glad you made it thru the rain.

Happy Sunday!
Connie

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Beautiful post, Judy! Your Uncles photographs are also beautiful!

As a New Yorker I had a heavy heart today as 9-11 seems like yesterday, and not 10 years ago. I hope we can all turn this sad anniversary into a day where we can all do good and show kindness. Good to triumph over evil! It would be a fitting way to remember those lost lives.

corners of my life said...

Anniversaries Remind Us How Much We've Forgotten
"Nine {ten} years ago this very night, going to sleep we didn't see it. The next day we vowed we'd never forget it.
Until we did.
That was then. This is now.
Lesson learned. Lesson forgotten.
It's a good thing we have anniversaries to remind us of how much we have forgotten.”

Your World Neil Cavuto

http://cornersofmylife.blogspot.com/2010/09/lesson-learned-lesson-forgotten.html

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails