Remember................

Dear Mr. President,

I am aghast and I am amazed at my lack of remembrance. I just emailed you about a rainy day, blah, blah ...and I forgot about the heartache that swirls around this day, September 11, otherwise known as 9/11!

Today the clouds weep. Eight years ago the streets of New York City and Washington were swarming with people unaware what their future held, unaware that this day was their last, unaware that war was forthcoming, unaware.

The day was brilliant, a movie rendition of these cities in their late summer splendor.

We are never to assume anything by the way it looks. That day helped us to understand this.

I am grateful for the lack of an attack in the eight years that have followed. I am sick to my stomach, however, for the many men and women who have died because of the declaration of war on terrorism.

How will you honor the previous administration and their valiant efforts to abort any such further attacks? How will you honor the men and women who are still fighting against terrorism?

There is nothing for me to boast of for my lack of rememberance. However, there are many men and women who have, for the past eight years, put their lives on the line, intercepted possible attacks and helped to stop them. These men and women have been agents of protection and change and enable knuckleheads like myself to wake up and forget. These men and women are to boast of while the rest of us must honor them and all involved with intentional rememberance. We are Free to forget but with that freedom let us remember the lives lost, the families broken, the soldiers wounded, and our need to be men and women of valor.

You are the President of the United States in a remarkable time of history. May your name be remembered with gratitude.

Blessings,

Mrs. Burkholder

That Perfect Fall Day of September Changed The Way We Look at a Perfect Fall Day of September

Mr. President,

Today is a crystal clear day. There is not a cloud in the September Sky. The air is superb. I'm walking in the early morning.

And then I stop.

I am remembering that fateful day when the sky was empty and blue. The day when life in America suddenly looked foreign.

September eleventh not only brought heartache to this nation. It changed our view of a beautiful fall, cloudless, sunny day. What once we associated with apple trees loaded, harvest bountifully laid out on a farmer's market bench, striking fall flowers, is now associated with terror.

If we let it.

Mr. President, what did the last administration do during the time of terror that is worthy of commendation? How did President Bush and Dick Cheney handle the matters of national security that was exemplary? There is no other administration known to our young republic that endured such painful moments, that endured a shaking at its core.

There must be something you can find that is worthy of your praise.

As we near the anniversary of this fateful day I encourage you to take a few moments each day and ask your administration to scratch the surface (it will not be a deep dig) and come with up with a tribute to the former administration's handling of America under attack. What you affirm, acknowledge and commend will be done to you as well.

We, Americans, are grateful that the years have accumulated with out another major catastrophe on our land. Would you and your administration engage in a counting of blessings? Would you be willing to name them one by one, as the old hymn goes.

I promise you this exercise in gratitude, giving credit where credit is due will fall back on your administration this fall with positive results. Prove that the Democrats are not negative.

I don't know enough to weigh in on the debate that is ensuing with the CIA and your administration. But I do know enough of life to suggest that you probably should tread cautiously.

Your administration's handling of the former administration's modus operandi during those terrifying days will pave the road for when you attend the next president's inauguration. These kinds of positive activities, the counting of blessings and honoring of people, might afford you another term.

I'm telling you, Mr. President, I'm here to help. Just please remember I'm opiniated as Americans are freely allowed to be!

Have a good day!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Burkholder