Things I’ll never forget

I’m seeing multiple posts about where one was on September 11, 25 years ago.   For sure I remember. But what stays with me the most is what happened in my life after the historical events. Fear ravaged me during the weeks and months that followed but it was also a time of clarifying where I’d spend eternity. 

As I drove the kids to school this morning I mentioned what today was and why we had chosen patriotic colors across our wardrobe. And almost immediately my third grader asked his kindergartener sister if she was going to heaven. It’s like he knew. Also, his brain is a steel trap and he probably also remembered what I say to him ever year on this day. (What I was hinting at above). 

Then my daughter said something very interesting in response to her brother’s question. She said she didn’t want to talk about it because it made her sad. And she had just said that yesterday evening at my basketball practice (we explored the church that offers the sport) and this song was playing softly. She didn’t want to listen to it because, note, it made her feel sad. 

At 5 (and even at 2 and 3) young children have the beginning knowledge of heaven and hell and salvation. But I’ve been curious how deep it goes. 

Well I’m at the edge of my seat and trying to act calm on the outside while my children speak of getting saved and what Jesus did on the cross for us amongst themselves. Isn’t this what being a parent is all about? 

Well, two things to take away from my ramblings … one can never forget what it means to have experienced 9/11 and being a parent is such a gift.