My Birthday Wish

Today I turned 61, and am so blessed to have friends and family that care about me and are there when I need them most.  My life is abundant, and I feel a peace and balance that comes with being 61.

9/11 brings a lot of memories for me, of being a small mischievous boy in Hazelwood MO in the 50's, of our move to Union Missouri, and the friends I made, and of my family and friends now departed. 

9/11 also brings sadness, about the loss of lives in America and the ongoing fight to keep America Free.  In many ways, we can now look back and see victories against terrorism.  But I also am fearful about the turn America has taken.  Right after 9/11, flags where everywhere, on bridges, in front of houses, on buildings.  We were united as Americans.  It didn't matter if you were Republican or Democrat, whether you were a Union worker or banker, we were one as Americans, proud to be Americans.

Now, in congress, on the net, and in public forums, we have become a nation of galvanized angry people.  We demonize anyone that doesn't prescribe to our world view, and refuse to have healthy dialog.  Instead, we shake our fingers, call names and spew hate.  We seem to have forgotten that we are Americans and that discourse can be free and passionate without being cruel and damaging.  We used to realize that compromise was necessary to build a nation, and that being open means really listening to other opinions without becoming enemies, about realizing that discourse can change minds.

Today we need to tell congress, the president and each other that the approach we are taking will ultimately be our downfall. Let's remember that we are Americans first, and the cement that holds us together is our freedoms and our willingness to work as one.  Let's not let 9/11 be the beginning of the end, but a reminder of all of the people throughout history that died for an idea-an idea about freedom, responsibility, citizenship and helping each other. 

There is a song that says "let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me..."  I also think about a Michael Jackson song "I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror. I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways"  We are a nation of people-it must start with us. 

This is my birthday wish.