THE LETTER BELOW WAS SENT TO ME BY A VERY OLD AND DEAR FRIEND! I AM VERY PROUD TO BE PLACING IT ON MY WEB SITE. IT GIVES US NEW INSITE ON HOW WE AS A PEOPLE SHOULD BE TREATING ONE ANOTHER AS FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS. LET US REMEMBER THAT "WE ARE THE WORLD" AND WE ARE A RAINBOW MADE OF CHILDREN! DON'T LET THE HATE GO ON ANY LONGER FOR THOSE WHO LIVE AMONG US, FOR THOSE WHO SOUGHT REFUGE IN A FREE AND CARING COUNTRY, FOR THOSE INNOCENT PEOPLE WHO ARE DYING EVERY DAY.
THIS PAGE WILL BE COMPLETED OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS AND WILL ALSO CONTAIN SOMETHING THAT I HAVE TO SAY AS WELL! I INVITE ANYONE ELSE TO SEND ME THIER FEELINGS AND COMMENTS AS WELL IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT POSTED HERE. PLEASE SEND THEM TO:
ceeceesthoughtsnpoems@gmail.com  THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE! SIERRA
WE ARE ALL PEOPLE
I'm hearing, what to me, is worse than any of the horrible attacks
we have just gone through. Reports coming through of racial, bigoted
attacks on our Arabian neighbors. Some of these families have been in this country for
generations, while others have come here to make a new and better life than their
country could provide them.
America the beautiful encompasses the whole continent. We are the
living history of our imigrant forefathers. By these random attacks, we are
only fueling the hatred of those who planned this attack against U.S.!
I beg you to respect your neighbors, but to also protect your neighbors and friends from the narrow mindedness of a few. By reacting to random attacks against people of difference. For to not react means you do not defend your own imigrant ancestors. We must be ever vigilant of the rage and the anger we feel towards this ugly and cowardly act visited upon us. This is healthy and right, but don't become blind and strike out aimlessly. That will only further encourage these cowards and to show them they are right. This would be the worse case scenario, the final weapon.
Please, I beg my friends to share my feelings with your friends and
ask them to share it with their friends. We are more than Americans, we are
human beings first.
"WE ARE THE WORLD" Thank you, Dee >>

This beautiful loving woman is no longer among us who walk upon this earth but she dwells with the angels!

THE POWER OF ONE
As the soot and dirt and ash rained down, We became one color. As we
carried each other down the stairs of the burning building, We
became one class. As we lit candles of waiting and hope, We became one
generation. As the firefighters and police officers fought their
way into the inferno, We became one gender. As we fell to our knees in
prayer for strength, We became one faith. As we whispered or
shouted words of encouragement, We spoke one language. As we gave our
blood in lines a mile long, We became one body. As we
mourned together the great loss, We became one family. As we cried tears
of grief and loss, We became one soul.

As we retell with pride of the sacrifice of heros, We become one people.

We are One color
One class One generation
One gender
One faith
One language
One body
One family
One soul
One people

We are The Power of One. We are United. We are America.

FOLDING THE FLAG
In the coming weeks, we will visit through TV and news reports the
funerals of many people. In those clips, we will see the folding of our
flag over the caskets of many victims of last week. When you see this, I
want you to remember something very special. Those whose bodies are laid
to earthly rest will be honored by a tradition of folding the American
Flag. This is not just a nice gesture, but has great meaning from our
history--a history which even terror cannot overcome. And so, as you get
the lumps in your throats, tears in your eyes, and struggle with
bitterness, anger, and frustration, here is something to remember how
special these people were:

WHY THE AMERICAN FLAG IS FOLDED 13 TIMES
Have you ever noticed on TV or at military funerals that the honor guard
pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the American flag 13 times?

I've known how the 21 gun salute was determined (adding the individual
digits of 1776), but only recently learned why the flag was folded 13
times when it is lowered or when it is folded and handed to the widow at
the burial of a veteran. Here it is:
The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.
The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans
departing our ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of
our country to attain peace throughout the world.
The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens
trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time
of war for His divine guidance.
The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen
Decatur, "Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be
right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."
The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that
we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States Of
America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God,
indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.
The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the
Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her
enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our
republic.
The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of
the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor
mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.
The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their
faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and
women who have made this country great has been molded.
The tenth fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his
sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first
born.
The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen represents the lower
portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies in their
eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an
emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son,
and Holy Spirit.
When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding us
of our nation's motto, "In God We Trust".
After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the
appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the
soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the sailors and
marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by
their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States,
preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.
There are some traditions and ways of doing things which have deep
meaning. You will see many flags folded in the coming weeks, and now you
will know why. God Bless America


ON MONDAY
On Monday there were people fighting against praying in schools
On Tuesday you would have been hard pressed
to find a school where someone was not praying

On Monday there were people trying to separate each other
by race, sex, color and creed
On Tuesday they were all holding hands

On Monday we thought that we were secure
On Tuesday we learned better

On Monday we were talking about heroes as being athletes
On Tuesday we relearned what hero meant

On Monday people went to work at the world trade
centers as usual
On Tuesday they died

On Monday people were fighting the 10 commandments
on government property
On Tuesday the same people all said "God help us all,
while thinking 'Thou shall not kill'

On Monday people argued with their kids about picking up their room
On Tuesday the same people could not get home fast enough
to hug their kids

On Monday people picked up McDonalds for dinner
On Tuesday they stayed home

On Monday people were upset that their dry cleaning
was not ready on time
On Tuesday they were lining up to give blood for the dying

On Monday politicians argued about budget surpluses
On Tuesday grief stricken they sang 'God Bless America'

On Monday we worried about the traffic and getting to work late
On Tuesday we worried about a plane crashing into
your house or place of business

On Monday some children had solid families
On Tuesday they were orphans

On Monday the president was going to Florida to read to children
On Tuesday he returned to Washington to protect our children

On Monday we emailed jokes
On Tuesday we did not

It is sadly ironic how it takes horrific events to place things into
perspective, but it has. The lessons learned this week, the things
we have taken for granted, the things that have been forgotten or
overlooked, hopefully will never be forgotten.

THE SAME AMERICA
This is war. And on our shores. Thousands of
American citizens murdered in cold blood. But
despite our pain and suffering as a people, we are
still strong. Not only militarily, but also in our
love of freedom and our commitment to defend it
come what may.

Some have argued that America will never be the
same. In a sense that's true: we'll certainly
never forget this savage and senseless attack. And
we have much work to do to make certain it doesn't
happen again.

But it's important to be careful how we go about
it. In the wake of this unprecedented brutality,
two out of three Americans say they would be
willing to trade some civil liberties to get more
security. But this is isn't our real choice.
Nothing about increasing our security requires
abridging our civil rights.

We don't have to let the terrorists win, not in
any respect. For these terrorists would like
nothing better than to knock America off our
foundation, our principles, the things that make
us truly the greatest country the world has ever
known.

They hate our freedom. Let's sustain that freedom.
Let's show the whole world: we are the same
America. The same America whose rifle shot for
freedom was heard 'round the world in 1776, and is
still being heard today. The same America that
freed Europe from the Nazis and Asia from imperial
Japan.

Let it be known in the face of this terror today
that we are indeed the same America -- the land of
the free and the home of the brave.

-Paul Jacob- Common Sense

I'VE SEEN THE ANGELS CRY
I have always thought that angels, wore hallos and wings of white
But now I find they wear hard hats and black coats with yellow stripes
And angels, in my mind, wore long flowing gowns of white
But now I see dark pants and shirts and badges shining bright.

And angels always floated, with bare feet above the ground
Not true!. For they wear steel toed boots and go where death is found
Not all angels have smooth hands that look like porcelain
Some angels have torn gloves and cuts and burns upon their skin.

And while I thought all angels glowed from heavens light
I see an angel cutting steel, his torch is shining bright
And while these earthly angels passed buckets of debris
The angels up in heaven looked down on bended knee

So while the smoke continued to rise into the sky,
I watched the rescue workers weep, I've seen the angels cry.

Author unknown.


 

I AM THE FLAG

"I AM THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
My name is Old Glory.
I used to fly atop the world's tallest buildings but for today.
Today, I fly at half-mast in honor of those Americans who were taken
today.
I will continue to stand watch in America's halls of justice.
I will continue to fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I will continue to stand guard with the power of united strength.
Look up and you will still see me.
Those who attack our shores,
Cannot make me fall.
I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident.
I am proud.
When I am flown with my fellow banners, my head is a little higher,
my colors a little truer.
I bow to no one!
I am recognized all over the world.
I am saluted.
I am loved - I am revered.
I am respected - and I am feared.
I have fought in every battle of every war for more then 200 years.
I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appomattox.
I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, in the Argonne
Forest, Anzio, Rome and the beaches of Normandy, Guam.
Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon, Vietnam know me,
I was there.
I led my troops,
I was dirty, battle worn and tired, but my soldiers cheered me
And I was proud.
I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I
have helped set free. It does not hurt, for I am invincible.
I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of
my country by those who would tear me asunder.
But I shall overcome - for I am strong.
I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stood watch over the uncharted
frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon.
I have borne silent witness to all of America's finest hours.
But my finest hours are yet to come.
When I am torn into strips and used as bandages for my wounded
comrades on the battlefield,
Or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent at the grave
of
their fallen son or daughter - I am proud.
MY NAME IS OLD GLORY but my strength is in the American heart.
LONG MAY I WAVE.
DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN, LONG MAY I WAVE !"


ETERNAL VIGILANCE
Liberty is expensive. The price is eternal vigilance.

If a war is just, it is fought to protect life and
liberty. But there is a danger that the battle for
liberty will also be used to rationalize
restrictions on liberty.

In the early days of the Republic, our second
president, John Adams, used a war with France to
impose the Alien and Sedition Act. This Act
repressed the speech of resident aliens and even
American citizens who might oppose the war. The
Act also provided for indefinite detention and
expulsion of aliens.

Liberty also suffered during other times of
crisis. Everyone remembers how Japanese citizens
were interned during World War II, no matter how
loyal and innocent they were.

Even without explicit government action, open
discussion of ideas and policy can be jeopardized.
Citizens may sometimes muzzle themselves, out of
fearing to seem disloyal.

Joe Andrews is a political reporter who has
noticed a drop-off in political debate. He
worries, "Will every political difference . . . be
portrayed now as an unpatriotic display of
partisanship? Our patriotism is premised on our
democracy. . . . That is why there is so much
danger in politics dying."

Andrews has a legitimate concern. But I am
confident that we won't let the terrorists warp
our American way of life. Most Americans know that
in a battle for freedom, the winning strategy is
not to support America and shut up, but to support
America and speak up.

So if you love liberty, practice it. It may be the
most patriotic thing you can do.

-Paul Jacob- Common Sense


IF I KNEW
> In memory of all those who perished; the passengers and
> > > > the pilots on the United Air and AA flights, the workers in the
World
> > > > Trade Center and the Pentagon, and all the innocent bystanders.
> > > > Our prayers go out to the friends and families of the deceased.
> > > >
> > > > If I knew
> > > >
> > > > If I knew it would be the last time
> > > > That I'd see you fall asleep,
> > > > I would tuck you in more tightly
> > > > and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.
> > > >
> > > > If I knew it would be the last time
> > > > that I see you walk out the door,
> > > > I would give you a hug and kiss
> > > > and call you back for one more.
> > > >
> > > > If I knew it would be the last time
> > > > I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
> > > > I would video tape each action and word,
> > > > so I could play them back day after day.
> > > > If I knew it would be the last time,
> > > > I could spare an extra minute
> > > > to stop and say "I love you,"
> > > > instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.
> > > >
> > > > If I knew it would be the last time
> > > > I would be there to share your day,
> > > > well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
> > > > so I can let just this one slip away.
> > > > For surely there's always tomorrow
> > > > to make up for an oversight,
> > > > and we always get a second chance
> > > > to make everything just right.
> > > > There will always be another day
> > > > to say "I love you,"
> > > > And certainly there's another chance to say our "Anything I can
> > > > do?"
> > > > But just in case I might be wrong,
> > > > and today is all I get,
> > > > I'd like to say how much I love you
> > > > and I hope we never forget.
> > > >
> > > > Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
> > > > young or old alike,
> > > > And today may be the last chance
> > > > you get to hold your loved one tight.
> > > >
> > > > So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
> > > > why not do it today?
> > > > For if tomorrow never comes,
> > > > you'll surely regret the day,
> > > >
> > > > That you didn't take that extra time
> > > > for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
> > > > and you were too busy to grant someone,
> > > > what turned out to be their one last wish.
> > > > So hold your loved ones close today,
> > > > and whisper in their ear,
> > > > Tell them how much you love them
> > > > and that you'll always hold them dear
> > > >
> > > > Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
> > > > "Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
> > > > And if tomorrow never comes,
> > > > you'll have no regrets about today.


PRESIDENT BUSH
This was the same man who came within a hair's breadth of losing an
election in November, who withstood the political chicanery of the
Florida Democratic machine to fix the vote count.

This was the same man who admitted to having a drinking problem in
younger years, and whose happy-go-lucky lifestyle led him to mediocre
grades in college and an ill-fated oil venture.

This was the same man who mangled syntax even more than his father, and
whose speaking missteps became known as "Bushisms."

And on Friday, this was the man who bore the weight of the world and
the
responsibilities of a generation with dignity, class, confidence,
appropriate solemnity, and even much-needed wit.

One thing struck me during the campaign, that difficult, roller-coaster
campaign that now seems years ago. It was that George W. Bush never
seemed to get ruffled. Whether the theft of a campaign debate video or
the sudden (some would say, vicious) release of a DUI arrest two
decades
ago at a key moment, "W" did not lose his cool. At times, his staff
seemed overconfident, as did many of us. A 350-electoral-vote win, they
quietly implied . . . and we optimistically believed. Then they
counted the votes, miscounted others, and re-counted still others. At
the end, he was still there. Whereas Al Gore almost frantically huffed
and puffed, trying to gin up something out of nothing, Bush quietly but
confidently waited at his ranch. He didn't do
nothing: that is the mistake people have constantly made with this man,
confusing lack of bluster for absence of action. No, his team of
attorneys and the iron-willed James Baker were carrying out his orders,
but W stayed in the background, confident and faithful.

You see, it is this faith business that confounded everyone. We have
had
such actors and liars in public office that we have looked skeptically
whenever anyone used the term faith. But this was the same man who was
the first politician ever in recent memory to name Jesus Christ as the
lord of his life on public TV. Not an oblique reference to being
"born-again" or having a "life change." He said the un-PC-like phrase,
"Jesus Christ," to which his handlers and advisors, no doubt, off
stage,
were also saying, "Jesus Christ" in a much different tone.

God has a way of honoring those who honor Him. David learned that while
he was on the run from Saul's armies. Job learned that after his time
of
horrible tribulation. The Messiah said so Himself, many times.

So this was the man who actually put faith into practice. He actually
loves those who hate him. It is a staggering concept, so foreign in
daily occurrence that few thought it anything but grandstanding. Even
one
of W's biggest supporters chided the President for adhering to his "new
tone." Yet there he was, again and again, thanking the Democrats.
Appointing his enemies to high places in his government. Inviting his
former foes and their wives to private movie screenings, and (I know,
this is hard to stomach) even treating them with dignity. See, this was
the man who learned early on how faith worked: by praying for his
enemies, you "heap burning coals upon their heads."

This was the man who named the absolute top people in national security
and defense, then caught barbs from the politically righteous that this
one didn't have the right views on abortion or that one didn't have the
right position on guns.

And on September 11, at mid-morning, this was the man thrust into a
position only known by Roosevelt, Churchill, Lincoln, and Washington.
The weight of the world was on his shoulders, and the responsibility of
a generation was on his soul. So this same man---the one that the media
repeatedly attempted to tarnish with charges of "illegitimacy," and the
one whose political opponents desperately sought to stonewall until
mid-term elections---walked to his seat at the front of the National
Cathedral just three days after the two most impressive symbols of
American capitalism and prosperity virtually evaporated, along with,
perhaps, thousands of Americans.

As he sat down next to his wife, immediately I knew that even if his
faith ever faltered, hers didn't. I have never seen a more peaceful
face
than Laura Bush, whose eyes seemed as though they were already gazing
at
the final outcome . . . not just of this conflict, but of her reward in
Heaven itself. In this marriage, you indeed got two for the price of
one.

Then came the defining moment of our generation. Some people fondly
recall their Woodstock days. Others mark with grim sadness November 22,
1963, as the day America lost her innocence. But I firmly believe when
the history of this time is written, it will be acknowledged by friend
and foe alike that President George W. Bush came of age in that
cathedral and lifted a nation off its knees. It wasn't so much his
words, though read a decade later, they will indeed be as stirring as
any. This conflict would end, he noted, ". . . at a time of our
choosing." It certainly wasn't his emotion. What had to have been one
of the most stunning exhibitions of self-control in presidential
history, W was able to deliver his remarks without losing either his
resolve or his focus, or, more important, his confidence. It was as if
God's hand, which had guided him through that sliver-thin election, now
rested fully on him.

His quiet confidence let our enemies know . . . and believe me, they
know. . . that they made a grave miscalculation. Now, this same man who
practiced his faith through a tough election, who steeled his
convictions even more in a drawn-out Florida battle, and who never once
gave in to the temptation to get in the gutter with his foes (well, ok,
maybe the "Clymer" comment is an exception), this same man now lifted
the weight of the world and the responsibility of a generation and put
it on his modest shoulders as though it were another unpleasant duty.

As he walked back to his seat, the camera angle was appropriate. He was
virtually alone in the scene, alone in that massive place of God, just
him and the Lord. But that's the way it's always been in his life
recently. In that brief time it took him to return to his seat, I
believe he heard words to the effect of, "You can do this, George. I am
with you always. And you can do this well, because I am going before
you. And don't worry about the weight. I've got it." And I saw in his
eyes a quiet acknowledgment. "I know. Thank you, Lord."

Back at his seat, when W sat down, George H. W. Bush reached over and
took his son's hand. The elder Bush always struck me as a religious
man, but not someone who shared his life on a daily basis with the
Lord. George H. W. treats the Father like a respected uncle,
visiting Him on appropriate holidays and knowing the relationship is
real, but not constant. Anyway, I believe that in that fatherly squeeze
George H. W. said, "I wish I could do this for you, son, but I can't.
You have to do this on your own." W squeezed back and gave him that
look of peace that Laura had kept throughout. It said, "I don't have to
do it alone, dad. I've got help."

*******************

What a blessing to have a professing Christian as President - one who
is
not ashamed to admit it! Please take a moment after you read this to
pray for him - he truly does have the weight of the world on his
shoulders. Pray that God will sustain him and give him wisdom and
discernment in his decisions. Make no mistake about it - the decisions
he makes in the coming days, weeks and months will literally define the
future of our country and the free world. Pray for his protection and
that of his family.


SONG PLAYING: "WE ARE THE WORLD"