Pausing in Gratitude

As I sit and pay bills this morning, I am listening to the television in the background highlighting the events of the day which commemorate 9/11. As I sat here and paused for a few moments of reflection, I am so thankful for my wonderful family. The boys bring so much joy to our lives; I can't imagine how empty I would feel without either one of them. We have been blessed with a good life, much love, wonderful friends, and as the boys would note - 2 incredible kitties! I have attached a couple of pictures of their beloved cats, Shanty (1 year old calico) and Tiger (9 year old grey tiger).

I am also so thankful for my country. In the past 7 years we have successfully disrupted many terror cells throughout the world. We have prevented any further attacks at home. This is something I think our population fails to notice or be thankful for ... can you imagine if the terror attacks had been allowed to continue??

I am also grateful to our military and all the men and women who serve. I am thankful for the amazing job our military and government leaders have done. We have kept our casualties to 4,155 as of today. Each one of those lives was special and beyond value; however it is amazing that the number is so low in a war. To put this in perspective, keep in mind that in the exact same 4.5 years since the war began, DRUNK DRIVERS have KILLED 68,000 innocent children, women, and men right here in the United States.

I have to say, when I see people that are far left, such as Code Pink, protesting the war and calling certain politicians "murderers," I am consumed with rage and shame at my fellow countrymen. Why don't they feel any gratitude for the safety we have gained? Why aren't they thankful to the politicians and servicemen and women who have sacrificed to keep our lives safe? Why don't they care about the 68,000 completely innocent people who have been killed in our own country for no cause?? I say shame on these far left kooks.

I hope we will all take a few minutes today to relect on how fortunate we are to live in this country, to be safe and secure, and to have people who are willing to lead us even while some of us threaten them and insult them.