Instagram Insights: a series which elaborates on stories behind picture shared on Instagram.

Pretty good day to be in a church.

It's been 20 years since 9/11, and I can still remember it clear as day. Six years old, and not fully understanding what was happening. Seeing the smoke rising out of the towers on the news, mom crying, the national anthem sung over the intercom at school, the base being locked down, dad looking more serious than I ever recalled, and a lot of fear and confusion, which followed for months. Hell, fear was the only reaction anyone had. At the time I couldn't have imagined that 20 years down the road we'd be cornering the market on fear and confusion again.

What has happened in Afghanistan over the last month is heartbreaking. Regardless of your stance if the US should have been/be there or not, the pull out was a shit show at best. People my age and younger haven't lived under Taliban rule or barely remember it, are having their futures ripped away. Their life changed in a matter of days. It is an abhorrent situation at best, and has affects stateside too; the Veterans Crisis Line has seen a 98% spike in texts.

I'm not a politician, military strategist, diplomat, solider or anything like that, but I cannot see a reason for abandoning our citizens, allies, and innocent people. No I don’t have a solution, but am certain there is a better one then this. Today has never been a day of celebration rather one of mourning, and remembrance, yet even in the bleakest of time there is hope.

Another thing I remember after 9/11 is that for years afterwards there was a sense of unity. Patriotism. Strength. Compassion. I pray to God that as a country we find that again.