A friend recently asked me how to get their 'spark' back. I advised that they should think of things that could turn their world upside down in a terrible way. THEN take a look at their life (sort of an extreme way to count your blessings)... in the face of tragedy, the mundane becomes a great blessing.
I was at home, probably changing The (baby) Boy's diaper or cleaning up after his breakfast. His sisters were at the church where they attended kindergarten and 4 year old kindergarten. The phone rang and it was my Dad. "Your Aunt Jackie called and said that a plane just hit the World Trade Center."
We didn't have television at the time so The Boy and I went to my in law's house. I let myself in and turned on the TV. I watched as reporters talked about the 'accident'. Then, before my eyes, the second plane hit. I was horrified. I called Bryan who was on his way to see a customer in Tennessee. I told him what had happened and that they were saying "terrorism". He asked me "What should I do?"
"Come home. We don't know what is going to happen next." That moment was the beginning of 'waiting for the other shoe to drop'.
The towers fell. My gosh, both of them. I know I screamed as the first one started coming down, startling The Boy who was in the floor not yet crawling but rolling around the room. We left the house and went to the church to get the girls shortly after the second building fell. I was not worried about my daughters, I just needed to have them close to me.
Suddenly there was no such thing as mundane. I was, in a moment, changed.
I am SO blessed for this to be my story on September 11, 2001. There are many people who were scarred terribly by 9/11... scars that they live with today.
Because there are still kids who lost their mom or dad.
Because there are still individuals whose spouse did not make it home.
Because there are still parents who outlived their children.
Because people still mourn.
These are the real reasons that I will never forget 9/11.
This post was published at 8:46 a.m. - 8 years ago today, American Airlines flight 11 hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center. It was a dark day in our nation's history. I no longer live waiting for the other shoe to drop yet I know I must never forget 9/11.... nor the nearly three thousand lives that were lost.
And though a tragedy of this magnitude was forced to become part of our nation's history, we have proven that we are still a very great nation... a strong nation... a nation that can become united in a moment's notice.
God bless the United States of America.
*I cried as I heard President Obama utter those same words at the close of his speech from the Pentagon. Through the pain of 9/11 we stand, a nation united. Yes sir President Obama, God bless the United States of America.
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23 comments:
Yes, God Bless our Nation! I had the unfortunate task of telling my husband who was just waking up (it was still dark and most were still in bed here on the West Coast) and my coworker who had started work before it happened. I was on my normal routine of waking up and turning the news on as I was preparing to go in and open the deli. I watched the second plane hit on the live feed. It was a day of shock for everyone, and my prayers are with those still mourning family and friends lost that day.
May God bless the families/friends whose loved ones perished that day.
I remember it happened while I was driving to work and I saw the first scenes on the news on a TV my secretary was watching. Heart wrenching.
Through tears I read your post, and related so very much. I too had my young baby boy at home. I wanted my others close. I called and begged my husband to come home (though he didnt). I was so fearful-not knowing. I still cry when I think of it. It honestly changed me.
Thank you for this post, and today I too remember.
Beautiful tribute, Jennifer.
We are indeed blessed.
Thank You. You made this big scruffy-looking geek cry a little today. I do every time I think about that day & what it did to me.
BTW, I wrote a similar post a few years ago. http://arachnerd.wordpress.com/2007/09/11/where-were-you-on-911/
God bless the United States of America!
Wonderful post in rememberance of this day... God Bless!
I have chill bumps all over my arms.
Remembering with you.
Sweet dreams.
Well said.
May we TRULY never forget.
Jen, what an awesome post!!!!
You are right - we must not forget!! I remember that day like it was yesterday.
Love you,
Tiz
I remember everything about that day and to remind me everyday to be thankful for what is given to me, my DH and I both have the "America Remembers" license plates on our cars. It is worth every extra penny that we spend on them and they help other to remember too.
Thanks for the post!!
You have a knack for offsetting fear with hope.
I will always remember the events of 11 September 2001. I heal a little bit more each year we advance forward from that day, but it's still so very hard.
I can hardly talk about the day without bursting into sobs, so I tend to just think of other things. I allowed myself to attend a memorial service on the first anniversary, in my hometown. They dedicated a sculpture made from one of the twisted steel pieces from the trade center building. I made a point to be a part of events on the five year anniversary. For me, I think I can only do 5 years at a time. Maybe someday I can talk about it without a complete breakdown. I've never experienced anything so emotionally draining in my life. I will never forget.
I appreciate you, my blogging friend :) I'm so very fortunate to know you.
Kristin - The Goat
Jen, such a great post. I've been thinking of the victim families and loved ones all day today. My husband and I went out this evening for a meal and movie and I kept thinking about the fact that those that lost loved ones on 9/11 will never have the opportunity to participate in those simple pleasures of life with those that they lost.
Would to God that we could remember to treat each and every moment as it might be our last.
you gave me chills
I love how you always write straight from your heart
Oh gosh...what an incredibly beautiful post. You have made me cry. I remember that day. I remember the way I felt. I remember wanting my freidns and family close. We are blessed to have the lives we had and you are a beautiful soul who has remembered all the important things in life. Thank you for this post.
You have a wonderful way with words, perhaps it's because it comes from the heart. We watched documentaries last night and had long discussions about it all, so very sad. I was very scared (even here) as it started to happen. I rang my husband, who was near Heathrow, London and told him to leave the city and come home. I thought it was going to be world wide. But your Nation took it all - stand tall America and be proud of your heros.
(I came over to say I have left you an award - but your post moved me to only want to leave it in small type away from what is important.)
x
Never forget....and then appreciate what we have.
love, Jess
You wrote this blog post in a way that I relived the moment right along with you...and it brought tears to my eyes once again.
I will always remember the brave fire fighters and police officers, some of them off duty, rushing into the towers, not worrying about themselves, but reaching out to help others...and most of them not making it out alive. They are the heroes of 9/11.
Jennifer ~ What a very thoughtful post! ~ jb///
Yes, a dreadful day. I. too, watched the second plane hit live. We just couldn't believe it... the sheer evil of it. God bless all those who suffered loss or were injured.
Thanks for sharing the affects of 9/11 on you and what you were doing. I think we will all remember what we were doing that day. Hope your advice help the people you gave it to. One of the ladies in my small group (church thing), husband died yesterday. Tragic and sad.
I remember that day so clearly too. The schools did not want us to get our kids out, but I insisted on having them all close to me. We all sat and watched it. So many lives lost...so sad...
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