(mon, 9/11) - 3 heroes or helpers you are/have been grateful for
1. Firefighters
2. Medical professionals
3. Military
(Tues, 9/12) - 3 things you're grateful for beginning with P
(I'm totally stealing all three of my answers. Ha!)
1. PollyannaMom (Of course
)
2. Peace
3. Prayer
(Wed, 9/13) - 3 movies or TV shows you are/have been grateful for
1. Apollo 13 (I joke that I can probably quote more of that movie than anyone who didn't work on set should be able to)
2. Cardinals baseball?? (Does that count as a "show?")
3. Nature/animal documentaries
(Thur, 9/14) - 3 creative things you're grateful for
1. Music (This should be a surprise to NO ONE on this thread! Ha!)
2. Writing
3. Drama
(Fri, 9/15) - 3 things you're grateful for beginning with A
1. Am I allowed to say me??
2. Animals
3.
All scripture (is God breathed....)
(Sat, 9/16) - 3 wild animals you're grateful for
1. Sloths
2. Pandas
3. Koalas
Also, there is a group of kids/youth at my church that have formed a "club" of sorts, and they call themselves The Red Pandas. The pastor's youngest, whose nickname is simply “T,” is one of the members, and they just make me smile when I see them together. I will definitely have to inform the tomorrow that today was International Red Panda day, but they probably already know.
So... I wasn't going to post this since it's almost a week "late" now, but since one of the other categories also made me think of this, I took it as a sign. This is a poem that I originally wrote quite awhile ago, and then revised a about 6 years ago to turn it into a 9/11 tribute.
Heroes
The boots have made their prints in the ash and soot
Only to be washed away;
His feet run to danger,
Not away.
The pants are scuffed and dirty from falling on the concrete
As he races up the stairs;
But they also are scuffed from kneeling down
To comfort a victim coming down.
The jacket is smudged and burned,
Even it couldn’t stand the intense heat.
It reminds him of his torn and tattered heart,
As he thinks of those he is attempting to reach.
The helmet is secured,
Protecting his head.
The mask attached to his tanks,
But the fumes are too strong and seep through.
An axe in gloved hands,
To tear through the walls,
Entrapping people
In a fiery furnace.
The boots now lay empty,
The pants and jacket carefully folded.
The helmet rests on top,
An ax beside them.
A cross-beam of steel.
Names upon monuments.
A new tower of freedom.
Flags stand at half-staff.
On this day of remembrance,
We look back to that day
When our very foundation was shaken,
But not broken.
We will never forget.
We will always stand
As a beacon
For freedom, heroism, and bravery.
May God continue to bless America,
Home of the free and the brave.
are so peaceful to see, too.
is said to be one.
Nothing like a friendly flying elephant after all to bring you a smile 
