September 11 is a tough day for me and my husband. Thinking about it, talking about it still feels like I’m being ripped in two, but we’ve had to learn to discuss it with our kids. I’m glad that people remember how the country came together to mourn, but it’s also important that we remember the shameful things that happened in the days after as well—the rise in hate crimes against people assumed to be from the Middle East or assumed to be Muslim. There are some good lessons there about turning to prayer when we’re afraid, about pausing and considering what our faith tells us, and about prejudice. On this September 11 my family will thank service members and first responders, we will talk about safety plans, we will discuss bullying and fear, and we will pray. Here are some prayers from Xavier University. I especially like the one entitled One Loving Family, which reminds us that regardless of culture and ethnic boundaries we are all children of God.

Posted by epotts@ncpd.org at 2024-09-11 14:27:00 UTC