For those reflecting on 9-11

Forever
Is the image
Captured
in the blink of an eye

On celluloid, a negative
Opposite, unreal
Black not white
White not black
The smiles real or imagined

Photographs
encased in cellophane
Sealed in a book, to be opened
Once, for visiting friends
but now for memories and tears

Past reflections, future thoughts
Where are the smiles now
Some have faded, others died
But, a few have returned
to open a new book

A bride radiates fulfilment
Her smile lingers on each page
The once groom passes her book
from hand to hand

In the blink of an eye
The smile can fade
But the smile on the image
In the book
Sits in a closet on a shelf
And is gazed upon no longer
Except for memories
and tears.

A little different today. I have always tried to be honest in my writing and my life. I learned to tell the truth a long long time ago, I think it may have actually been Viola that pounded it into my , then, thick kids skull. She said, "It may not be what you want to say or what they want to hear but it's the easiest." The truth can only be one way, only be one thing. I never need go back and try to remember who I told what, when.

Last night Wanda read the guy was dead on Face Book, we turned on the news. About five minutes later I sent a text to Rebecca, she and Tim had the TV off, they were reading. Her return text said they wouldn't have known until this morning. A few minutes later, Jennifer called, she talked to Wanda. Nick posted something on Face book, Susan, Nicks other grandmother posted something on Face book. Many people heard the word in ways that would not have been possible, what? twenty years ago?

I wasn't actually happy but I was glad. I was glad for all the people who have been mourning and missing loved ones because of that mad man. I sincerely hope he was one of a kind and there is no one waiting in the wings to pick up his agenda.

I have already seen doubt from people. They will not let themselves believe it really happened, that's too bad and pretty sad. There is one thing that bothered me last night. The growing number of people who gathered in front of the White House. Young people who looked like they may have been ten or twelve years old 9-11-01. I think they, and anyone, had the right to "celebrate" Bin Laudens death. I was glad the guy is dead. I'm sorry we couldn't see him drawn and quartered.

The news last night reminded me of the terrible images on 9-11. I called Harriet between the first and second tower strike. She was watching like most of the country. I heard something on one of the reporting news agencies and I repeated it to her, "They said the radar at the airport may  not be working properly and the planes are off course." My good friend Harriet said, "What? Are you nuts? It's the *%^$#(ng *%g %^$#s. She was right, it was.

I don't know, it didn't seem right to be yelling and screaming and jumping up and down and singing and climbing trees and mugging for the camera. But, everyone is different and in this country, thank GOD, we have the freedom to say and do many, many things.

As for me, I said a short thank you and a long prayer we never need live through anything like 9-11 again.