I am a changed person in many ways from last week’s attack on the U.S.A. The day after the attack, I began to wonder why I would begin to weep each time another patriotic song came on the radio or when we would spot another flag rippling in the breezy warm day as we drove down the road. What is it that calls to my spirit deep within and makes me so moved by our beloved U.S.A.?

I believe that I am so moved (as are so many) for the reason that this country was formed. As the story goes, the founding fathers had a dream. They wanted to give honor to God. “One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” They founded the nation “under God,” they wrote on our currency, “in God we trust.” They had great faith and they stated their belief in God over and over again. This is a Christian nation. And I know that is why I am proud to be an American citizen.

There are things I know I will do differently now. I will memorize the words to patriotic songs about America. I will teach them to my children. I will pray often for our leaders in Washington, D.C. and instruct my children to do the same. I will be more thankful for my freedom and the blue sky and the fresh air. I will stand more quickly and clap more fervently at parades as the veterans go by.

I am guessing that we got a very small taste of what it was like to live in war times, like the generations before us lived and suffered through. The country that we live in and take for granted each day has become once again a valuable and treasured gift. We cannot even imagine what all of New York City is going through, or the people who are missing and those mourning loved ones. But even though it is miles away, I see evidence of a changed community here, in my neighborhood, in the public places I frequent and the people I chat with on the soccer sidelines. At the store, in the post office and library, everywhere people are squeezing a hand, hugging one another and being thankful for each other’s safety and for life. When it comes down to it, we are a people who care, we are citizens linked together and we are so sorry for this loss. We have been given a glimpse of what really matters to us. Not a clean house, not money, not power or position. What matters to us are life, love and the foundation of our being.

Let’s not lose focus of the important things once this tragic event fades in our memory. Lets leave the door of our hearts open to the One who loves us enough to have given His own life, accepting the gift of hope, forgiveness and life.

Sue Crabb

Snoqualmie