A Phoenix From the Ashes

Today is September 11th. I refuse to pander like so many others do on this day. We all know what happened in 2001. We all felt violated and vulnerable. Most of us were angry and demanded justice. Our nation’s finest are still overseas making sure that nothing like that happens again. One of my best friends on the planet is in Afghanistan. Memo to all militant terrorists: If you see a bearded white boy with a bright red afro and a gun, I suggest you find the nearest pile of rubble and hide. His name is Mike Jackson and he’ll go full-on Rambo apeshiz on your greasy murderous butts.

There is a mythical creature called a phoenix. Those familiar with the Harry Potter series, specifically the second book/film, will recall Dumbledore’s “pet” phoenix, Fawkes. A phoenix is a mythical bird with a tail of beautiful gold and red plumage (or purple and blue, by some sources). It has a 1,000 year life-cycle, and near the end the phoenix builds itself a nest of cinnamon twigs that it then ignites; both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which a new, young phoenix or phoenix egg arises, reborn anew to live again. (Wikipedia, 2008.)

September 11th, 2001 reduced my spirit to ashes. No one really knew what the implications of the attack could be. Were we at war? Were other areas of the country at risk? What could I do to protect my bride and myself? But on September 12th, 2001…just one day after the horrific attack on my freedom, a gorgeously perfect 7 lb. 6 oz phoenix arose from those ashes of despair and brought beauty back to the world. Talmage’s birth stood in stark contrast to the ugliness and terror we had known just hours before. My world was suddenly all innocence, pride, and hope.

I’m not blind to the ugliness still in the world. But I choose to not focus on it. Instead I allow my mind’s eye to wander back to another day. A beautiful fall day when my life would change forever. I choose to see the cherubic face and slightly alien-shaped head of my best little buddy, “The Sausage.” And I feel peace, I see hope, and I can’t help but smile.