After waking, settling into the morning, I was doing my morning meditation and remembered that today would have been Christina Taylor-Green‘s 10th Birthday.

My thoughts and prayers are with her family. It’s been 8 months since she was killed at a political event here in Tucson, Arizona for Congressman Gabrielle Giffords. A casual event designed to bring Congress to the neighborhood.  Christina was only nine and already developed an interest in politics and civics.  *she had just won a student government position at her school*

Thinking about Christina, mixed in with the anniversary of 9/11, and the shootings in Tucson earlier this year that claimed her life…and I just started to cry, but I am not ashamed, “like clouds swell in the sky, then rain falls to dirt; tears drop from our eyes to let go of hurt.” (from an unfinished poem I wrote earlier this year)

Christina, born and died between two tragedies, as Stephanie Innes from the Arizona Daily Star wrote, was also featured as a Face of Hope, Babies Born on 9/11 book.

During the assassination attempt on Congresswoman Giffords, young Christina was killed, along with five other Tucsonans.

An act of terrorism on our neighborhood by a very disturbed young man.

The idea behind terrorism, is terror. Violent acts which are intended to create fear, “perpetrated for a religious, political or ideological goal, and deliberately target or disregard the safety of non-combatants (civilians).”

When I drive by that Safeway on Ina and Oracle where the shootings took place, I feel a haunting sadness in my heart, very similar to how I felt when I was in New York last month and visited Ground Zero for the first time.

Today, I chose to honor her memory and share in her hope and dreams to change the world.

We can start in our own back yard.

While bullying and toxicity are not the equivalent to terrorism, they are the nurture of its essence. A seed of animosity, that can grow quicker then we may even notice.

I encourage you to be a Patriot to your friends. Build then up, give them support, create a loving environment that others can mature and be inspired by. I am not perfect but recognize when I am headed down the wrong path of what I really want to be when I grow up:
A kind, creative, generous human being filled with hope and love.

I look at young Christina Green as a symbol of what is pure and all the enthusiasm for a better world, if you aspire to it.

Take some time out to encourage your friends, family, community. Build others up don’t tear them down.

Be a Patriot in your own life, in your own way.

Candlelight Vigil at Congressman Gifford’s Office

Chrisina’s famaily created “The Christina-Taylor Green Memorial Foundation” to galvanize projects in our community that reflect her interests, values and dreams. For more information visit http://www.christina-taylorgreen.org

I also leave you with this beautiful video.” Would You Be A Hero’s Hero” created by my friend Lori Taylor to honor Veterans on Patriot’s Day.

 Who inspires you?