I’ll be honest.  As September 11th approaches every year I brace myself for the immense patriotism that will be our country’s response.  I understand the desire to proudly hang the flag, declare our love for America, and feel angry by what happened to so many people on that horrible day.  But in the spirit of all that is Good (call it God, call it Love, call it Humanity), there’s another kind of response that can remind us we’re all in this together – every nation, every religion, every race.  9/11 happened to all of us, and it can evoke rage and revenge or it can make us try to love each other more.  Pride doesn’t need to sit at the table; he takes up too much room anyway.

So when our church decided to honor the 10th anniversary by joining other synagogues, mosques and churches across the city and hanging Ribbons of Hope all over our gates with messages of love, reconciliation, forgiveness and peace, I breathed a sigh of relief and got out my Sharpie marker.  I hope Huck and every other child’s experience of September 11th will always be one of hope, a great big celebration of everyone coming together and praying for peace for the whole wide world.