One can't help but remember, if you were alive:

        This Tuesday began with a 4+ mile run/walk program I've been following via my iPhone.  It was still dark.  The distant horizon on the plains was just beginning to fade into today.

        Now, finally back home after a very full schedule, it's the other side of today.  The dark of tonight reigns.  Been that way for awhile, as it's late on this 11 Sept '12.

        In between these hours, driving around Denver, taking a quick trip to Colorado Springs, I've been impressed with the number of flags I've seen flying at half staff in honor of the sadness and horror that took place 11 years ago in our country.  9/11 are numbers, almost a word, that is seared into our minds.  If alive then, and more than a child, we all remember where we were when we heard the news.

        After wishing our neighbor a good day as he was heading for early work, beginning the morning training run, staying close to lighted streets, no flags were up at the entrances to our subdivision.  However, by the time the sun was creeping over the horizon, and as I rounded the corner for home, flags were being put in place.

        Not alot takes my breath away.  This quietly did this morning.

        I stopped and watched the neighborhood crew carefully place the flags.  I learned they always do this with a brief bit of ceremony.  Honoring.

        This morning, as they diligently, quietly worked, they did not know they had a crowd of 1.  Me.

        I thanked them for their faithfulness.  They seemed surprised, saying it's simply what they are supposed to do to keep us reminded of the lives we get to live in this country.

        The last time the flags were out was when the shooting happened at the theatre in Aurora.  Honoring the fallen.  As one person told me this morning, "These flags are also being placed to honor the loved ones left behind."

        We love living here in Parker, CO.  Real people.  Real life.  Real sorrow.  Real hope.  Real care that we be reminded to live life to the fullest.

        I'm reminded of the account in the ancient Hebrew scriptures, we call the Old Testament, where Moses is urging the Israelites to "Choose life!"  We who are alive to the possibilities of our days need these reminders to do just that tomorrow and for the rest of our own days.

        In all your tomorrows, choose to live your life to the fullest.  Or as I enjoy encouraging others, live your life to the max!  Yes.  Indeed.

Choose life!