Tom is a 25+ year resident of Germantown and the surrounding community. He currently lives in Hubertus with his wife and two small kids on a hobby farm near Bark Lake. Tom's blog will likely not save the world, but hopefully, you'll get some enjoyment from his ramblings.
Next Tuesday marks the six-year anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks on America.
Reflecting back over those six years, a lot has changed in my life. My wife and I have welcomed two beautiful children into the world together. We moved into a new home. I made a major career change, leaving my former employer of 15 years. I’ve switched primary vehicles several times. I’ve changed hairstyles. I’ve had heart surgery. I’ve given up on some old hobbies, and started several new ones. And fortunately, I’ve met many new friends.
But more important than the things that have changed in my life, are the things that have not changed in my life. I am still free. I still enjoy liberties that many others on this Earth are not allowed too. I am still safe in my home, my city, my state and my country. I still have endless opportunities to improve my life, and pursue whatever dreams I may have. I can still speak freely and openly in any public forum. I can still bear arms for recreation or protection of my family. I still have input into the leaders that are chosen to run my country, and I am welcome to participate in how my country is run. I still have countless rights of privacy, and feel secure knowing that what is mine is mine. I still cannot be unfairly persecuted, and my government assures this for me.
This is in no way some sort of political statement I’m trying to make here. Given that 2008 is an election year, we’ll hear enough political gibberish for the next 14 months. All I’m trying to say is it’s easy to sit back and be critical of things and find faults with the way things are, or are being done. I think it is actually harder sometimes to find the positive things in life and focus on them instead.
So next time your in your SUV, listening to your favorite music, going through the drive-through of Starbucks for your double latte’, take a minute to count your blessings as an American citizen. You’ll soon find out that a minute isn’t nearly enough time to count them all.
G’Night G’Town!
Faith is the bird that sings when the dawn is still dark. ~Rabindranath Tagore
