It is a rare day when I actually post here. Regular readers will be asking themselves "Who is this guy? What is he doing spouting off on Matt and Mark's blog?" They would probably be right.Lately, I have been bemoaning the fact that in another week I am going to be turning 35. I have looked a lot at my life over the last five years since my 30th birthday and have been thinking that not a lot has changed over the last five years. I am still dealing with financial difficulties. I am still single. My life doesn't appear to be moving in any kind of positive direction, let alone any kind of direction at all. In short, I am in the exact same place that I was at 5 years ago, only this year I get the joy of trying to find a new job thanks to a company consolidation where I work on top of everything else.
I saw something tonight though that helped to put it all in perspective. I went with Matt and Mark to see the Oliver Stone film World Trade Center. Five years ago, I was turning 30. Two weeks after that some fanatically obsessed people drove some planes into some buildings and killed a lot of people. Tonight I was reminded that we live in a much different world than the one that I lived in five years ago. The threat that terrorism poses to everybody is very real. I am ashamed to say that I needed that reminder.
During the film, my fists clenched again in rage to the point that my arms were shaking at the thought of what these fanatical lunatics did to us that day when the towers came down. I was reminded of the heroes. I was reminded of those that live. I was reminded of those that are still haunted by memories of missing friends and relatives. I was reminded of those that died. I am ashamed to say that I needed that reminder.
Suddenly, the things that were troubling me prior to tonight do not seem as significant or as important. I still have a job for the time being. I know that I will be able to find another job. I am able to stay on top of my bills. And even though things seem like they have not progressed where I would like them to be, I know that I am still alive and have a chance to make some changes. For the almost 3,000 people who died that day and do not have that chance, I hope for their sake that I never need reminded again.
