Defining Moments

I have a friend who had a habit of saying things were "defining moments" whether it was a moment in a basketball game, or a moment in something bigger.  Sunday was a defining moment for the world. 

I walked in to the D-Fac under a clear blue sky after a sleepless night in the coldest tent in Iraq on the most uncomfortable cot in the world.  I was groggy and wanted to go back to sleep-in a real bed.  I went through the motions of scanning my card, getting a tray, plate, and plasticware and went to stand in line.  I glanced up at the TV quickly reading the headline, "Osama bin Laden is Dead" before glancing away.  My head snapped back up.  What?  Really?  After all of this time, is it true?  I picked up some breakfast and sat so I could watch the news.  I watched many people do the same thing I had done.  It was so surprising.  As Derek and I ate, I said, "It just doesn't feel real.  I feel like I have been waiting to hear that news for so long."  It was surreal.  We watched President Obama give his speech about it and saw people celebrating on the news.

Less than an hour later we were on a bus to another airport and the driver had the news on.  It was nice because it was a repeat of the President's speech-which I had a hard time hearing the first time.  I looked around outside the bus and wondered how much of our being there was a result of bin Laden's actions.  How would our lives had been different if he had been captured sooner?  A guy got on the bus, takes a seat, the driver cranks the volume of the news again and we take off.  A few seconds later, the guy asks, "Is that real news?"  "Yes sir.  It is."  "We'll I'll be doggone.  They finally got him."  (Words spoken with a smile on his face and a hint of a chuckle).

I read in the newspaper this morning that it was 66 years ago TO THE DAY that the fall of Hitler was announced.  I find that to be a very interesting piece of information.  The very same day.

I don't think anyone has any idea what this means for the world.  It is too soon to tell, but there will be some changes.  In the very least, people will perhaps be able to get some more closure to the events of Sep. 11th.  I can't believe that it has been almost 10 years.  For now, it means that I am going to take extra percautions in my travels over the next few days.  Only time will tell what other changes there will be.  Lots of Love, M.