Everyone is gearing up for the hurricane as they should but I feel like we missed out on remembering 9/11 somewhat. I did watch the service at the Pentagon yesterday morning as they unveiled the new memorial. I was doing well to hold back my emotions until they said that the lengths of the benches (for each victim) were by their age. The shortest bench for the youngest, a 3 year old, that was on the plane that hit the Pentagon. I could no longer hold back my tears.
I went back to that day in my mind. I was at SRMS teaching special ed. I was on my way back to my room from the bus lane and I passed the cafeteria. They had the TV on and one of my principals and our school resource officer were watching it with what I call the "Oklahoma City Bombing" look on their faces. I knew something big had happened. I stopped and saw the towers on fire and hurried to my room to turn on my TV and tell my teaching partner. I thought what is happening Lord? Could this be the last day as we know it in the USA? Could this be the last day? We watched in horror knowing by now that we were under attack. I saw the second tower fall and kinda felt like "this is not real". I was pregnant with Puddin' and Daddy Boy was in San Antonio. I called him and told him to get home ASAP. We had to turn off all the TVs in the school so not to upset the kids. I cannot remember but I think we might have left early that day. Daddy Boy and I watched Fox News all night and cried and cried. I held tight to him. I remember the people in NY looking for their loved ones. It was hard to watch. I remember the fireman and policeman running toward the danger. I could write for a long time on all the things about that day that I remember.
After remembering all this, I felt guilty for the petty things I stress over. People lost loved ones, they lost 3 year olds, in a horrific manner and I'm irritated that the lady behind me in line has her cart too close to my rear end. Why do I think I am entitled to a good day, a smooth road, no carts near my rear end, a stress free life? The Bible never says that but still I gripe because the road is bumpy and the world is broken. I stop or God makes me stop to rethink my attitude and make adjustments. Thank you Lord for patience with me! What does my attitude say about my character? I'm afraid it is not as good as I would like it to be in times of stress. Would I be one of those people that you hear about in twin towers that said "I'll hold the door for you. You go ahead and get out of the building." Or the guy that sat down next to his co-worker in the wheelchair and basically said I'll stay here with you while we die! Or would I be a track coach's dream hurdling people and running like the wind saying "outta my way!!"
9/11 just reminds me of so much to be thankful for! Thankful to be born here! Thankful to our brave soldiers or "precious brave soldiers" as one of my former students called them! Thankful to the Lord that I have his peace, love, and Holy Spirit despite my fleshly flaws! Thankful that no evil plot by evil men can take away what we have in Jesus! Thank you for those in our nation that still choose to stand against the evil ones and stand for your principles! Forgive me Lord for my petty gripes and woeful moaning over dumb stuff! Hold tight those that lost love ones on 9/11 and let them know your comfort and bring those that do not know you closer to finding you! Honor the sacrifices of our precious brave soldiers and gird them up for the battle both physically and spiritually. For your word reminds us that in this world we will have trouble but to take heart that you have overcome the world! Thank you Lord!
Where were you on 9/11/01?
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I was at the hospital. I had just been discharged after recovering from an infection in my uterus, Little Rudy was still in the hospital recovering from a very high fever of unknown origin (he was 14 days old), and Trey was in the ER because a pipe fell on his neck at work. I had went down to see him when I heard some nurses say that we were under attack. After finding out that Trey was okay, I headed back upstairs, turned on the TV and called my mom! Crazy! Has it really been 7 years?? That year was crazy...Trey's sister died in May, Rudy was born in August and then our country was attacked. I will never forget that feeling of helplessness!!!!!
My Jman was little more than a month from turning 2 yrs. old. We lived in North Dallas area at the time. He and I were driving to the church in Carrollton where I worked MDO. I listened to the radio in horror on the way and just wanted to go home! We all listened all day in disbelief, comforting each other, feeling a sense of peace being in the church and praying together all day! I worked in the infant room at the time and remember hugging a little tighter that day! And checking on my own baby down the hall many, many more times than usual!!
At home that night, and for days afterward, I remember watching in disbelief all the coverage. I remember our church holding a special service and prayer vigal that night and for a few days afterwards. Horrible!
I was working onsite in a middle school next door to downtown Houston. I remember the "9/11 faces" as people turned from t.v. monitors in shock.
I was at the end of my second trimester, and it was only God that kept me from sobbing right here on the spot. I had to put on the brave face and comfort the fragile children in the office who had been waiting to see me and the other ladies there in the office. I had to tell them that whatever was happening in NY, we were going to be ok. I had to try to believe that as best I could for them, and probably for me too.
Once everyone went back to class (and soon to home as parents were picking up kids left and right), I was excused to go home. I couldn't drive on the north loop, because it wasn't moving, full of people panicked to get home and away from downtown. I took the south loop (right by the ship channel area--the reason why it was empty--smart move, right?!)home, balling all the way.
My husband worked for one of the companies in the towers, and he was thinking he was going to NY to help out. Planes were grounded, and he was encouraged to stay with his pregnant wife while his boss in NJ took care of things up there. I'm glad his boss made him stay, because I was a mess just thinking about him having to go up there, not knowing if there were more attacks to come. He's a cowboy, and he REALLY wanted to go up there. Crazy man.
We spent the rest of the day watching CNN and listening to jet fighters fly over our heads, patrolling the skies over the city. Scary.
I was driving to work when I heard on the radio that a plane had struck one of the towers. Then, they said there was another one and we were being attacked. When I got to work, everyone was panicked. I heard that they had evacuated the White House and I totally flipped out. I was pregnant with Gracie so already highly emotional but my dad, his wife and my brothers were in DC and staying at a hotel right by the White House. I was hysterical so the secretary called my dad's office to get the hotel name and then she called the hotel and got their room for me. Once I could talk to my dad's wife, I was calmer and explained to her what was going on. She hadn't heard anything! My dad was at a meeting and was running back into the door at the hotel while I was on the phone with them. Praise God they were fine but they were stranded there for days and my brother (now 17) is still afraid to fly. Back at work, we all gathered downstairs in the workout room b/c it had a tv and we just stood silently and watched the video of the towers falling. It was horrible. One of those days you can never forget!
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