[Bada Bing]

Here is something for all of us to think about. Tears are allowed.


Something Special
By Pam Bumpus


"I would do something special for her. Not take out the trash without being reminded. Something special, something I wouldn't ordinarily do." With tears streaming down his face, the gentleman had just answered the reporter's question, "What would you do differently if you had known you might not see your wife again?"

Now, I personally think this is a pretty crappy question to ask anyone, much less the husband of a victim of a terrorist attack. The reporter seemed to have no compassion for this man whose wife's plane had been flown into the World Trade Center.

"I'm just glad I kissed her good-bye and told her I loved her this morning," he managed to choke out.

Of course, we would all act differently if we knew time together with our spouse was running out. My anger at the insensitive reporter simmered along with the disbelief and fear that had become part of my life since watching the results of the attack on America. "Stupid guy," I muttered to myself, switching off the television. Maybe I needed a break. I have that luxury. I can turn off the pictures of the devastated buildings, despondent relatives and harried rescue workers.

But could I turn off my feelings? My husband Alan and I farm. He was cutting a field of soybeans that afternoon. I decided to go take pictures of the American flag he had mounted on the back of our combine. With terrorists trying to cripple our nation, we wanted to show our support: The American farmer was still hard at work.

Back at the house, starting a load of laundry, I found myself thinking about that interview. 'I would do something special,' played over and over in my mind. That gentleman would never have that opportunity now, but I did. I hope Alan and I have another forty years together. But there are no guarantees. Tomorrows are not guaranteed.

'Something I wouldn't ordinarily do.' Well, his pickup could sure use a good cleaning. So I got to it. After about thirty minutes of vacuuming and scrubbing the interior, I was ready to wash the outside. I had one little problem: Starting the power washer was a bit tricky. You had to choke the motor just enough, and the idle had to be set just so. The possibility of getting jerked on the recoil was significant. 'Something special...'Grabbing the rope pull I tackled it head on. Suddenly it was very important to me to accomplish this surprise for Alan. Several attempts later, with no success and an aching arm, I thought I might not succeed. 'Lord,' I prayed silently, 'I could sure use your help. I want to get this started so I can finish this for Alan. I really want to do this for him.'

The guilt hit immediately. How could I bother our Lord at a time like this? Thousands were praying for their loved ones. Much more important prayers needed his attention right now. "I'm sorry, Lord," I whispered. How could I be so selfish? I had spent a lot of time in prayer over the past three days, asking for comfort for the victims' families, strength for our nation's leaders and healing for all of us. My request for help now was automatic. I always ask for help when facing a difficult task. But it just didn't seem right to do so today.

Defeat didn't seem an option either, so I pulled the rope one more time. The motor sputtered to life.

Yes, Alan was surprised and grateful when he saw his pickup. And I was surprised and grateful for the important lessons I learned that day. First of all, despite his tactless approach, the reporter brought home a very important point. Through his pain, the man who lost his spouse taught me to cherish mine. I will look for those "special" things to do for Alan.

Secondly, and maybe more importantly, God does care about us, all of us. He hears the prayers of those whose suffering seems unbearable. He cares. And he hears those of us who need a little boost when we have set out to do something special for someone we love.
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Are you threatening me ???

[KopiKat]

A profound post indeed... I salute you Pam. Now I have my own story to tell about 9-11. August 9th 2001 I was on the top of the world trade center. I saw what it was like, I took my fill of what I wanted to see. I got a penny and put it in the penny masher that would engrave the picture of the WTC in it. I thought it nothing but a souvenier... But it was much more. On the train to princeton I looked back at the WTC. I never liked the way it looked too much... It was too simple and unelegant... I even muttered to my parents that "maby someone will just blow it up."... Then I thought of what I just said. I have a habit that when I say something that i know could bite me in the rear later on that I knock on wood. Well, I searched for some wood. I didn't find any, so i knocked on the railing of the train.......... Anyhow, september 11 rolled around, and about 1 hour after I saw the disaster, i thought of what I said on the train that day... I will never forget it. I searched for that penny that I got ontop of the world trade center... I have never seen it since. After that I realized how much I liked the WTC. It was majestic. It became a part of me. I will never forget that day...

-KK
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[Trigger Happy]

Don't make me cry like niagra falls! I love joo man!!!
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I like you---that's why I'm going to kill you last.



- Sig Made By <TVB>Bada^Bing-TPF-

[-=ITS=-GaladerieL[Vegas]]

very heart warming and my heart goes out to you also pam!! And like trigger says don't make me and you did great in finding this Bada Bing great job and excellent words place here by pam!!

[-=ITS=-GaladerieL[Vegas]]

A day worth remembering and a riminder to all about this day what pam had to say to the people... i placed these 3 links in here to remind of this day!!! you all have a great day

http://www.september11th.com/silence.htm
http://home.attbi.com/~sept11/
http://www.feelgoodpages.com/momentsilence/

[ROOFCUTTER]

One of the early impacts to me that day was watching our local news and seeing the anchorlady delivering the horrible news in a typical news no nonsense way, but tears were pouring down her checks. as the scenes were played behind her. For me that sums up the pain of that day. In us all. We may all go on with our lives but that was real shared pain, Ill never forget.

[Goldom]

Always good to be reminded how important it is to treasure our loved ones, we don't know how long they'll be around...