Genevieve
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	The gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam...

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Freedoms we take for granted
2001-09-14 - 4:41 p.m.

A quick afternoon of errands driving around reminded me of many of my freedoms. I have the freedom to wear my dyed blonde hair uncovered and in really any style or color I want it to be. I have the freedom to wear any clothes of any style that I want, as long as they are clothes and publically decent. I have the freedom to wear my white headband, navy t-shirt and bright red jeans if I want to. What item of clothing is more American and symbolically free and casual as jeans? Nice, cotton, comfy, (hopefully) made in USA jeans. I have the freedom to worship whatever way I want, or not at all. Who else can boast that? I have the freedom to drive my American made car and listen to loud obnoxious American classic rock, all I want. I have the freedom to eat greek food for lunch, and chinese for dinner, or ribs, or whatever my glutenous heart, or my health-conscious mind wants. I have the freedom to walk and go anywhere I want, without an escort, without a male relative to watch over me. I am so lucky.

I hear of attacks on Arab-Americans, and they sadden me. Did we not learn from our own history? Are we this scared that we are back to looking at color of skin or hair or someone's name to judge them. Now I agree that those in the US who are celebrating the attacks lack sense, but one of the freedoms we have is the freedom of expression, I just hope that someone exercises the freedom to escort them off our land. They came here to exercise the freedom that Americans have, and they need to respect the price that it comes at. But this doesn't mean that all folks of middle eastern decent and culture are the enemy. Far from it. Some truly appreciate the fact that they can live here in freedom. It does sadden me that they feel even more compelled to wear the red, white and blue just to prove their loyalty, but I am glad that they are willing to. Please do not judge those who are different without knowing the truth.

Which brings me to a different subject, the military. Sometimes I can't believe that the men and women who serve our nation in times of need can be so looked down upon. While listening to the radio this morning, a Marine called into the station to vent. The jist of his message was "What is this "We" BS? It is I who will be sent to defend this country, not them. Why should I defend those who look down on me, and spit on my military ID, when all I signed up to do was defend and protect." We have all met the occasional rude and obnoxious member of the armed forces, but we know many more who are kind, honorable, good hearted men and women, who really do want to do nothing other than protect the freedoms that Americans in the past have fought so hard for. Please give these ladies and gentlemen of the armed forces their due respect. For it is they who watch, and they who fight, and they who sometimes die, protecting those of us who choose not to, or can't.

One of the Flight Attendants on the United flight that was downed outside of Pittsburgh was from my home town, Greensboro, NC. Sandy Bradshaw was a nice kind and loving lady. I vaguely remember knowing her through the pool. My little sister used to babysit her son, from a previous marriage, Sheenan. Hits a little closer to home.

On the positive side, my dad's cousin Peg, who lives in Greenwich village and works on Wall Street, is okay. She did send a chilling account of her escape, not as narrow as we once thought. She did describe the rumble as the earth shook from 110 floors crashing to the ground as each tower fell. Also Willard is rental car hopping with a bunch of other North Carolinians and is en route to his home in Hickory. We hope he makes it in time for the christening of the second grandchild, Bethany, which occurs tomorrow.

So, tonight we are off on the road again, no terror stopping us from visiting my family and making my way back home when it is done. But then again, we are relying on another freedom, the freedom of the open road.

gah, now I sound like a car commercial.

Tell your loved ones you love them. Also take a moment of silence, not only for the victims of the horrible attacks, but for Master Aldwin Longwalker of Windmasters' Hill, who died of a massive heart attack last night.

sniff sniff

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