This is the 10th anniversary of that dreadful day, and at the time I was...in bed. I had started learning how to be a night owl, and the night before, I went to bed at 1am. Well, I was living in an apartment, nice apartment, and I was asleep. The phone rang, and it was my dad, who clearly said to me, "You're sleeping, and the world is going to hell in a hand-basket?" I was still a little dazed from coming out from sleep, and I was trying to understand what he meant by that. Dad instructed me to turn on the television, I will find out. So I got out of bed, went into the living room to turn it on. I had it on the local CBS station in the area, and I stood there in stunned belief. "What the heck is going on", I thought to myself, as I saw people running from a cloud of dust in New York. Shortly, after that, I saw the second tower being hit, and I said, "what the F***! Is this the end of the world?" I tried all day to understand who would do this, and why?
We are such a helpful nation, and maybe sometimes too helpful to other countries. We are too giving, and maybe that was our downfall. At the time, my parents, who lives less than 2 minutes from my house was caring for my oldest nephew and two foster kids had to get them from school, so mom was trying to retrieve them from school (the nephew was in Kindergarten, and the other two was in 1st and 2nd grade.) As soon as I got dressed, I immediately went to their house, and watched the news from there, as that was only thing on.
Today, as we remember those who perished on that day in New York City, Pennsylvania, and Washington DC, it is not about where you were on that day, or what you were doing at that time, it is about what has changed in the 10 years since that day. For me, it was graduating with a bachelor's degree in marketing, becoming an independent home consultant with a company I love (Longaberger), starting a business from scratch (MDN Creates), and trying to be the best aunt to two more boys and a little girl. My oldest nephew, who was 5 at the time, is now a 15-year old high school student, and wants to do something with computers when he graduates. The other two boys have moved on back to their mother. There are some things I still hope for, being out of debt, a new home, and to become a wife and a mother. But, I am grateful for what I have so far, because that day could have been the end of this country, and there could have been a war on our own shores for the first time with a foreign country (the last war in the US, I believe was the Civil War.)
Hug your loved ones, for they are precious to you, and in the sight of God. Tell them that you love them, and you thank God for them.
Very well said. Despite the tragic losses caused by the attacks on 9/11, the rest of us have many things to remain thankful for - especially the men and women who put their lives on the line every day defending our freedoms. May they come home to their family and friends safely and soon.
ReplyDeleteSharon - NJ
As it's just 3 minutes to the 10 year anniversary of the first plane hitting the tower, I find myself at a bit of a cross road. I want to watch the coverage, but then again I don't. I've been on edge the past few days watching footage from that day.
ReplyDeleteOK, so I left and watch some footage. I cried and prayed and feel a little better letting the emotion out.
~Jennifer, NJ
As I left work that day, my husband and I could see the smoke of the fallen towers, smelled the burning. It is these senses that will never allow us to forget. God bless America.