What We're Reading Today

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Page4_2Repost from last year.

A little over a year ago, my mother attended a book signing by author A. B. Curtis. She bought a book for my children and mailed it to them. I have to admit I was skeptical of a children's book about the tragedy of September 11, 2001. How do you capture the horror in rhyming verse and whimsical pictures? You don't. Instead, Ms. Curtis tells the story of St. Paul's church, an historical church that stands fewer than 100 yards from where the towers stood. The chapel became a refuge and launching point for the rescuers who were on the scene. Every time I read the book tears well in my eyes at the thought of the fireman who hung their shoes on the chapel fence before they went into the towers:

Oh what gallant men did we lose

Who never came back to get their shoes!

The book is a gentle re-telling. Our children are surrounded every day by references to the horror that forever changed our world. They will ask what "9/11" means and they surely deserve to be answered. But, they should not see that footage and they should not be bombarded with remembrances more appropriate for grief-stricken, terrorized adults. Childhood is all too brief. Very soon, they will be old enough to learn the details of the day. For now, this book tells them a story of hope amidst the charred ruins. A story we all need to hear.

You can read the entire book and see the pictures here.

And one more thing: my husband flies today and my children are more than a little unnerved by that fact. Your prayers are appreciated.

Rally! From Mary Beth.....

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Dsc04926Today at 6:00, I was awakened by Mom saying to wake up because we're (Christian, Paddy, and I) leaving at 7:00 with the Beardsleys. Why? The rally in Fairfax of course! Gov. Sarah Palin and Sen. John McCain were going to be speaking in VA's own Fairfax county and I got to watch!! How cool is that? After stopping at Sheetz to meet some friends, driving through a mix of people trying to get to work and people trying to get to the rally, finding a parking spot next to McDonalds, walking to get to the end of an mile and a half long line, and going through security, we were finally there! And so were around 15,000 other people. Dsc04916_2The excitement, the Republicans, and of course the noise/shouting (not to leave out the protesters)! Mackenzie and I went over to the fence near the bathrooms and there almost right in front of us was her! Mother of five, pro-life supporter, and beautiful Gov. Sarah Palin getting ready to walk up on stage with Sen. McCain. We ran back over to our group and started chanting the same tune as everyone else. SARAH, SARAH, SARAH. Dsc04935 Then she came out followed by our next president, Cindy McCain, and Todd Palin! Everyone started shouting and waving signs (Mine saying Homeschoolers for McCain and Palin). It was an AMAZING day! Was it worth waking at 6:00? YES!