13 years ago in September we moved to Whispering Pines. We moved on Saturday, September 8th and it was the hottest day of the year. I foolishly thought it would be cooler since it was September. Wrong! But we got everything in place and I looked forward to my day off that next week. Back then I worked 4 ten hour days and had Tuesdays off. September 11th was a beautiful day...the sky so brilliant blue! I don't think I've seen one that pretty since. A good friend from Church had come over early for a meeting about the organization we were working in at that time. Sometime after 9am I got a phone call from my daughter-in-law telling me to turn on the TV because something horrible had happened in New York. We didn't have the cable hooked up anywhere except the family room in the basement. We hurried down, turned it on, and sat there with our mouths open and hearts beating as we watched the destruction happening on live TV. We looked at each other and the thoughts that came to mind were about all the lives that were lost and how could something like this happen. I thought about the first responders...firemen, police, nurses and doctors and others running in to try and save lives...never thinking that the buildings would collapse. We also took a moment to kneel together and say a prayer. Something that I'm sure happened all over this country. One little scripture also came into my mind..."And Jesus Wept"...I'm sure He did on this day. Today I happened to have the day off...not a lovely, sunny day. No brilliant blue skies...chilly and cloudy, looking like rain would fall any minute. This morning I sat and watched TV as that day was played out again. I felt the same as I did back then. Only now we know who was responsible.. the complete death numbers...the voices of responders played out during rescue attempts...the reaction of the wives, parents, siblings and friends who lost loved ones that day. I thought about all the evil in this world that led to this happening and all the evil in the world that led to the many past wars all over the world. The evil that still threatens us today. But something came into my mind that replaced the thought of that evil. The thought of all the good that happened that day...all the heroes who gave their lives in different ways. The evil doers didn't win anything on September 11th. Kindness, prayers, a return to God, selfless acts, determination to rebuild and honor those that died certainly out shined them. I don't know why this year the anniversary of that day seems to be on my mind. I guess I just wanted to put my thoughts down in print...I didn't have a blog in 2001. This blog is my journal for my family to have. I want them to know my feelings and also the fact that I will never forget that beautiful September day....I remember...and I hope they will too. I hope we always remember all the good in the world...all the wonderful people who give their lives in service for our country...all those who respond to so many tragedies without thought of themselves or the danger. I'm very grateful for them. September 11th, 2001....I Remember
10 comments:
Well said!
Thank you, dear YaYa, for taking time to express your thoughts and feelings on this September 11, thirteen years later.
Very well said. I will never forget that day and all the different emotions of it. You're right. The Bible says don't be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good. And we got to see that happen. Thanks for writing your thoughts for us and your grandchildren to read.
your reflection back on 9/11 is a tribute to those we remember.
It is so true what you said, the evil doers did not win that day. I remember the horror of the day, as we always will, and I remember somewhere in the day or perhaps the day later wanting to fly the American flag because despite all that happened, we were banding together as a nation and we were watching out for each other and we were like you said going to church etc. Flew the flag for months afterwards.
betty
Today is a sad reminder of this senseless disaster. I will remember this for the rest of my life. I remember being glued to the TV in shock.
The skies were noisy with many diverted flights right over our place as we are in the direct flight path of many major airports. Many people were stranded and were taken in by kind people. It's a day to remember the families of those who died and served that day and everyone affected by this tragedy.
Hugs,
JB
Such a day! I was working on a photo-styling job in Tampa. The owner of the home didn't want television in her home so we heard the news via a phone call to our field editor. We continued to work the job, listening to a radio we found in the house but didn't see any of the horror until that night when we left the job to dine in a restaurant with television screens. I remember...
Well said Kathy. I'm sure we all had similar reactions as we watched everything unfold 13 years ago. So surreal. So unbelievable. But amidst all the horror, so many people all choosing to do good.
Beautiful post Yaya.
I remember, too, and I always will. Such tragedy, and so much giving in the aftermath of it.
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