We'll Never Forget

Throughout the day today, I had flashbacks of 9/11/01. As I turned on the tv tonight to watch coverage from that horrific day, I kept thinking about the victims and their families and praying for the children who abruptly lost their parent(s), the parents who lost their child(ren) that day, and those who lost their husbands/wives. I think about how I would ever be able to explain to my children if their Daddy was never coming back home. I can only begin to imagine all the suffering that has occurred as a result of the terror attacks that happened on what started as an ordinary day. I keep picturing the friends who watched as their friends died in their arms, the firefighters, police officers, and all who sprang into action that day.

I remember sitting in my car as I pulled into the parking lot outside the speech pathology building, just weeks after beginning my senior year in college. We had just visited NYC with her earlier that year. I thought it was a joke, and I remember thinking, "This is NOT funny. I cannot believe someone would say something like this on the radio. X (whatever the am show host's name was) has totally crossed the line." I picked up my cell phone and called Jim and my mom, and they both told me that this was unfortunately not a joke. It was all over the television and radio. And then, the 2nd plane hit. I sat in my car crying and crying, looking up into the sky, wondering if this was an attack across the country or in one city. I felt paralyzed by fear and yet, I was miles away from where the tragedy was happening. I remembering thanking God that minute that my younger sister had not moved to NYC, changing her plans almost at the last minute and deciding to attend college closer to home just the month before. I remember praying and praying that it would all stop, that no more planes would crash, that people would be okay, and wanting so much to get back to where Jim was. I remember walking into class with tears in my eyes, hoping to be told to go home. We actually stayed in class and talked with our teacher about what was happening and waited for updates before driving back home. That 25 minute drive back to my house was full of tears, fear, and uncertainty. I was anxious to get to Jim, to get to a tv, to make sure everyone I knew was safe and to find out exactly what had happened. Jim and I sat glued to the tv, holding each other tightly, as I cried and cried. I kept imagining what it was like to be there, how terrifying it was. I remember asking God, "Why? Why? Why?" I wasn't afraid to ask. I knew He could handle my questions, my fear, my worry. I still don't understand why God would let this happen, but even amidst the tragedy, He was there.





I will never forget that day. I will never forget the lives of the people who died unexpectedly. They are forever heroes in my mind, as are the many people who jumped into action that day to bring together a city torn apart by terror. I will also never take for granted just how important our military is and how thankful I am for the men and women who work every day to protect our country both here and away from home. Thank you thank you thank you!

Many Blessings,