A gift of hope: U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' miracle Wednesday a sign to celebrate

There will be plenty of time to talk about the need for all of us to be a little nicer to each other as the days and weeks unfold.

There will be time to debate other issues as well and to talk about what Saturday's shooting in Tucson, Ariz., really says about this nation and its people.

But today, all of America -- Republican or Democrat, Jewish, Christian or any other faith -- should pause to be thankful that a 40-year-old congresswoman opened her eyes yesterday.

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords still has a long road to hoe as she battles back from the injuries sustained at the hands of a deranged gunman. She will not walk out of the hospital anytime soon -- and she will not be the same woman she was when she entered.

But, for now, she is fighting and on the road to a life that will be as full of promise and hope as it was a week ago.

Wednesday's service in Arizona was meant to be a tribute to those we lost, those who are still fighting and those whose lives will never be the same again.

We watched as the president and the people of Tucson gathered to hear the stories of heroes and of Americans who had already lived lives of honor and purpose.

All those words will not bring any of those we lost back. And rhetoric of any kind is not what we need now, not when so many have lost so much.

Today and the next few days should be about remembering that life is precious and that it can be taken in a moment. It is time to celebrate miracles and to honor courage. And, for now, that's enough.

Published in Editorials on January 13, 2011 11:13 AM