I ask all person's who have been reading and hearing the tragedy that befell this our nation on Tuesday Sept. 11,2001 to pull from within and restrain from causing further harm by looking at one of OUR people and blaming them for the tragedy. This would be a terrible situation. Most of us have heard of the terrible devastation that befell the Japanese who were AMERICAN'S at the time during World War 2. Let us not be a judge for those who dress differently, talk differently, or think differently. After all our forefathers did the same thing. It is very easy to point the finger of blame to someone we do not understand not so easy to stand by them and say we respect your way of prayer, dress, and speech. We must ALL stand united against terrorism this is our enemy not just people we feel are different from us.

On Tuesday September 11, 2001 at 6:50 am on the West Coast time zone I saw the first tower burning and smoking and watched in horror as the second plane hit the second building. The first thought's I had as probably so many other's was what happen to our guidance system to the aircraft flying that it went off course to hit this huge building? When we saw the second plane hit I knew their was something going on beyond our control. I was stunned, horrified, saddened and scarred. When we were listening to a broadcaster when the 3rd plane hit was beyond stunning. I had to take a deep breath because I had stopped breathing.

To those who have families lost in these tragedies my thoughts, prayers, hopes are with them at this very sad time.

I was born in 1942 when the U.S. was at war. My reflections then as now are of the people here in the United States as well as the World around us.

I have never judged any one by where they are from, their religion or the color of their skin. I came from a country upbringing where the value of one's contribution to the land and our community was the only measuring stick a person used. Yes, there were people who were demoralizing the Indians that lived near by because they would not use the electricty given them, nor the inside plumbing, and some became alcoholics. Did the people in the WHITE community try to do anything to help these people? NO. It was easier to condem them. Everything was taken away from these Native Americans. Everything they new and loved. Yet,other's condemed them. Are we any different than them in that our comfortable living has been taken from us by other's who condem our lives? No we aren't. Are we fighting back? Yes we are.

I see this happening in a broader since in that people are again judging people. From how they dress to where they came from. Again, I call to all of us "Do not judge someone by this but try to talk to them and try to understand what they feel in this trying time of our's". So many Muslems are freightened because of the very people they walked by before the Sept. 11 tradgedy. This is not the American way. Some of you were taught to hate some of our own American's because they were different and that was a threat to them. So they past it on to their childern and their children. If asked today why they hate most would not beable to tell you. I feel it is time to look upon all of us and know we are different only in the eyes of hatred. What makes our country strong is the diversity within our country. We ARE able to except and rise up above hatred and build a stronger country. We were attacked by people how'S very exsistents depends on only one way of life. To attack us show's their way is only down one path, while ours is made up of many path's and this makes us stronger.

I feel our country received a wake up call that morning of September 11, 2001 to stop taking lightly our freedom's and choice's.

Too stand tall and remember the lives that were taken from us by misguided people who can not uderstand our ways. We are a threat to their very exsistance.

I have always looked upon our country as the only home I wish to have. That has not changed.

I will fly less because I am concerned about what might happen. But I was that way before. Now I will drive more and enjoy the sight's of our beautiful country and not be in such a hurry to arrive at my destination that I stop seeing what is before me.

I have always looked around me and seen the Woodduck in the pond by the road or the baby Deer with its Mother wanting to cross the road. I look up and see patterns in the clouds. To me this is the joy of life and I will not let any one take this freedom away because I am too scared to live an open and productive life.

May all the wounds heal and become distance memories and may we see the earth as God has intended us to.