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These Troubled Times

© Deanna Corbeil

Most of us watched in shock and horror as the hijacked planes crashed into the two towers of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and into a field in Pennsylvania on Tuesday. Is there anything that could have prepared us for such an act?

It may seem like a cliche, but certainly this seems like a time more than any other to cling to those whom we love, those we call family. Our ancestors also faced troubled times in their lives. Maybe they couldn't imagine what we witnessed this week, but members of our families must have experienced things we couldn't begin to envision. There have been other times of war, when the wounded had no medicine or anesthesia to comfort them, years of poverty and hunger, and waves of diseases that had no cures. Many endured cruelties doled out by despotic governments. But despite all of these experiences, our families survived. If that were not so, we wouldn't be here now. Human beings are certainly resilient, even in times of unbelievable hardship.

Perhaps as we face the days ahead as individuals, and as a nation, we can take comfort in the strength our ancestors possessed in facing troubled times. When we are filled with grief, or anger, it may be comforting to think about those who came before us. They all helped to create this nation we proudly call our home.

I would like to offer my personal condolences to all of those who lost someone they love this week. My thoughts and prayers are with these families. For all of the police, firefighters, rescue workers, and to the thousands of volunteers, thank you for your hard work and dedication. I would also like to request that all of you pray for and support our country's leaders and the men and women of our armed forces as we head into the coming days. They will require wisdom and courage.

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