While running errands with the kids we got to talking about how school went. Aubrey's class talked about 9/11 and what it meant. That led to so many questions ... and a few tears. Do you remember where you were when it happened?
My mom sent me an email telling me I had to turn on the TV that we were going to war. I didn't understand what it was about. It was early morning, before Brian went to work. I turned on the TV to watch a re-play of the towers being hit by the planes. I was in shock.
Aubrey was 3 and Brandon 5. I was 8 months pregnant with Jon. I remember sitting on my floor just holding and rocking Aubrey for so long. I called for Brian and we just sat together all huddled up. Brandon on Brian's lap, Aubrey in mine and Brian and I holding each other's hands. He stayed home from work because there was a feeling that we all just needed to stay together. I kept wondering what kind of world we were bringing babies into. We watched the news all day long. It wasn't until a day or two later that they told parents that children should not be shown the pictures since it would be traumatic for them. Oops, we were so overwhelmed with emotion, we never thought about it.
Do you remember the feeling of unity throughout the country? We didn't know anyone who was killed that day, but we prayed for their families desperately. All those emergency workers who jumped in to help. All those terrified, innocent people. How amazing to feel united in the same righteous indignation. How the flags waved all over the country. Did you hang your flag today?
As we talked about it today, Aubrey kept saying she 'didn't get it'. I smiled at her and reassured her that no one did back then either. How is it possible to hate a people so much as to kill them like that. I'd never known that we were hated so much by others. I still don't understand that hate.
I cried as I described to her the story of the brave folks that knowingly sacrificed their lives to fight against the hijackers and take the plane down where it couldn't hurt anyone else. Americans are a tough people. Deep down, we know what is right and how to behave. On this day I pray that God will bless America. Help us to be the nation that he has prepared us to be. My heart is full. I will not forget.
4 comments:
I was getting ready for work and turned on the news, like every morning. I watched until I had to leave and then pulled the little tv we had at work out and that is ALL we did all day. And then went home and watched more - for days.
It's so hard to believe it's been 8 years and then...it seems like yesterday as well.
Thanks for the beautiful post.
I didn't find out until I dropped off Allie at her daycare. I watched the news but had to go to work. We had just gotten a big tv for our waiting room. I remember watching any chance I could get and even a little while I called patients back. Many people canceled their appointments. I got to talk to a lot of different people on their thoughts about it. We all lamented together. I love that feeling of Unity.
On a side note, we had plans to go to Disneyland that Friday with friends. A lot of people were freaked out to go anywhere. We still went and the park was completely empty. The way I saw it was, first the person who bombed Disneyland had to be very, very sick, and second if that very, very sick person took that chance, at least I was with Allie doing the thing we love.
I almost forgot what day it was until I looked at the calendar. I think it's so important for us all to remember, every year. Thanks for the post.
That day is definitely burned deep into my memories. I do remember exactly what I was doing. I remember crumpling to the ground in sobs as well wondering what this meant for my family. I was worried about losing my dad to the war that was soon to follow. Climbing up the hill to class that day seemed so hard. Although that day was so heavy, I remember that feeling of unity and humility and really what a blessing this was for our country. All those trivial differences were immediately dropped to help the common good.
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