Justice

Osama Bin Laden is dead.

It's been almost ten years since 9/11 and justice has finally been served.  God bless Navy Seal Team Six.  If it exists, which it certainly doesn't.  *wink*

Facebook exploded with posts celebrating Bin Laden's death and Caitlin asked, "Who is Bin Laden and why does the US hate him so much?"

I forget that she was only one year old when the towers fell.   

Hayley was only five years old at the time but was aware of all the news footage.  As her young little mind tried to process all the images of horror that constantly surrounded her, she told me, "Mommy, bad men knocked down those buildings."  Yes, baby girl, yes, they did.

And now their leader has paid for it.

I am celebrating justice today.  However, I am having trouble celebrating the bloodshed even though it was necessary and just.

I am haunted by the images of the hundreds of people filling the streets in front of the White House and in Times Square last night waving flags and chanting, "USA. USA. USA."  Yes, I am so proud of our military.  And I give credit where credit is due...Well done, President Obama.  He made the hard decision to do the right thing.  I also say, "Well done, President Bush" because he promised us that we would have justice and he worked tirelessly for it.  However,  I am reminded of the words in Ezekiel 18:23: "Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?  Rather am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?" 

So, today I admire the hard work and sacrifice of so many who worked for so long to see justice done.  And I mourn for those who have been lost along the way.  And I celebrate that a bad man has met his just reward.  But I take no pleasure in it.