ramblings and thoughts..

This weekend was great....It was so nice to see my family and spend some time with all of them.  I didn't get to take many pictures and I haven't taken them off my camera yet :)  so I promise them for another day.
I have had a post in draft mode for a day and a half now.  I started it when I opened my facebook page on Monday morning and the first thing I saw was a video clip of people celebrating.  I couldn't figure out what major sporting event I missed and then I read what was going on.
Bin Laden was killed and people were dancing in the street
Celebrating the death of this evil person
Celebrating America and the power that this country had to take down this leader of a terrorist organization
Celebrating the destruction of this individual who spearheaded an organization who's mission seems to be to take down America
And you know what, I didn't celebrate.  I actually didn't post about it at all.
Like many other people who lived through that day, I remember exactly where I was, who I was with and what I was doing.  I remember the terror of hearing about the attacks in New York City.
I remember the pit in my stomach because I didn't know where my dad was working that day or whether my mom was in the store at the Pentagon.
I remember hearing that they were evacuating people in downtown Pittsburgh and thinking about the emails I had just exchanged with my best friend's mother who was in the tallest sky scraper.
I remember not being able to get online, there were no televisions in the building I was in and I remember not being able to contact my family.
I remember the days that followed, trying to make sure that the friends who were living in New York City were okay, that no one I knew was on one of those planes.
And I remember the phone call and the emotions when I found out that there was someone I knew, a friend who lost their life that day.
Hearing that Bin Laden was dead brought back all of those memories.  Flooding in, they took my by surprise, because to this day those emotions, that feeling of being out of control still floor me.
But I couldn't celebrate.
I can't celebrate the death of another human being, no matter how just and well deserved.
I know that people won't agree with me, and every one is entitled to their own feelings and thoughts on the subject, far be it from me to judge, so please don't judge me.
He was the leader of a vast organization.  A figurehead really who I honestly believe probably hasn't been calling the shots for several years.  He is gone and his judgement will be passed by whatever higher power has the right to pass that judgement. Certainly not me.
I am glad that the men and women who fight so hard for our country have succeeded in a mission that has been going on for a very long time.
I hope that this will make the world a more peaceful place, but I honestly don't believe that one person has that much power.  There are contingency plans and a hierarchy to an organization of any scale that does not rely on one man.
The dancing on the street, reminded me of the videos from right after 9/11 of individuals who were celebrating the attacks.
Hate breeds hate and once it's out, there is a vicious cycle that perpetuates.  When does it end?
I am glad that I wrote this, although I have no idea how it will be received.  It was not my intention to offend or to defend anyone or anything.  If I have offended anyone, I truly apologize and promise to be back to "normal" posts tomorrow.
Hugs to you all!!