Eight years ago...I was up early in my friends dorm room, waiting for her to take her shower so she could take me to the airport. You see my dad had made travel arrangements for everyone to come to Nevada so he could renew his vows to my mom on their anniversary. but it was sorely spoiled by what happened that very morning.
My mom called and told me to turn on the TV. It was like a scene out of the movie. I think I hung up on her when every channel I changed too was nothing but the World Trade Centers falling to the ground, the anchors voice strong but reverent when reporting that our home land had been hit.
I banged on the door and told my friend to come out...we've been hit was all I could say. she came out dripping and frantic...I was in tears, memorized by what I was seeing. Who could do that such a thing? All those people!
I knew there was no way I was getting on a plane, not now...so I got in my truck and started making the nine hour drive home. By a miracle all the family that was suppose to show up did and the ceremony went wonderfully (well accept for someone leaving the ring at home...but we got it ok).
for the next few days the world watched as our country came to terms with the fact that we had been terrorized that we had actually been attacked. We also came together as no country has or probably ever would. Yes I understand that people perceive Americans to be selfish and self centered...but we banned together like no other and we stood up after being hit and let them know that - yes they did hit us...but no we were not knocked down..nor would we be.
This is the land of the free and we were not going to be terrorized ever again.
So many things have changed since that fateful day. Some for the worse (stereo typing to say for one) but most for the best. We still remember at least once a year that we are a strong nation and will continue to be. I think we have more empathy for those counties that have to live through it everyday! I know I do.....
And to this day I get a lump in my throat thinking about that day and how much this country means to me. How many of my family members are in the armed forces protecting what I hold so dear and about all those precious lives lost. I will never forget how that felt or how I knew in that very moment I was witnessing history. That one day my children and children's children would talk about this day. It left a deep groove in our nations history. It left a deep groove in my personal history.
God protect those you fight for us and forgive those who trespass. I'm sure they are praying for the same thing...which is ironic if you think about it. We all love our homeland with a fierce passion...its at least one thing we all have in common.
9/11/01 - We Remember.
i remember exactly where i was and what i was doing. that's one of those things that you never forget. down the road we'll tell our children how it was and they will write school reports about it.
ReplyDeleteI found out while I was in seminary. And then that night we had a youth temple trip and the temple workers told us over and over there was no better place to be in this world of turmoil than the House of Peace. Of course, I was a snotty senior and just thought it was awesome we watched history all day rather than have actual classes. I wish I could rewind to that day and realize more what it meant.
ReplyDeleteAnd when you say "someone left the ring home," you don't by any chance mean: "the coolest, most awesomest, most wonderfullest person in the whole world brought the ring, but the ring magically transported back to the house before anyone noticed making that bundle of awesomeness look kinda silly," do you?...I didn't think so.
What ever do you mean sister? ;)
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