This Monday is so weird for me. I was very happy after this weekend, I had a fantastic time at the date party, and I hope my date had as much fun as I did. I probably had a little too much fun. But then the news breaks of Osama Bin Laden's death last night, and I couldn't help but be consumed by grief.
First of all, as a Christian, I know there will be no mercy for the things he has done. It hurts me to feel okay about this because of my beliefs. But it's a struggle because he caused so many more lives to be lost than his one that was probably deserved.
Second, I can't help but be worried about what is to come. Yes, killing bin Laden was something our country needed to hear about, needed to see, needed that sense of ease, but I honestly feel like it's more of a symbolic thing for the US rather than something that is going to mean anything to the entire Al-Qaeda community. There WILL be retaliations, I can feel it.
Third, it upsets me to the point where I didn't sleep well at all last night because of what is to come. I may not have mentioned this before, but my oldest brother just enlisted in the military, and will beginning boot camp this summer. The news of this just worries me that he won't get to stay in the states like he's been told, but will instead be deployed overseas. I'm not exactly sure what he's going to be doing once he finishes boot camp, but I just hope it keeps him safer. I know it's selfish of me to want that for him.
I didn't sleep well last night. I woke up late. I burst into tears in my piano exam. I've got to get my shit together today.
My prayer for all of America is to remember that it wasn't Obama, it wasn't Bush. It was the men and women in ALL branches of the military that unselfishly sacrificed time away from their families, and the men and women who are still doing that today. It took 10 years to find him. I hope that all of the military could breathe a little easier after the news last night. This doesn't mean it's over. Killing the leader does not mean the revolution itself is over, it just means that their public figure is no more.
In all of your mundane Monday tasks, thank an Iraqi Freedom veteran today.
Tomorrow will be a weekend update, I just had to get this off my chest.
I feel the same way. How do you react to this?? I mean, we are all relieved that his reign of terror is over, but are we happy that a person has been killed?? I am sure many people would say yes. Even heard a "May he rot in hell" last night on CNN (a call in). Who knows.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, responding to your email right now! Excited for this!! :)
I agree entirely with you about this. Another blog summed this up really well: "It makes me sad. Sad that someone did such terrible things when he was alive, that people feel the need to cheer when he is dead."
ReplyDeleteInteresting perspective Mallori - I had never thought of it like this. I knew there would be fears of retaliation, but thought generally that all Americans in particular would be thrilled. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.
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