“Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children."
- President George W. Bush, November 11, 2001
Today, I am taking a break from the fashion and clothing, the anniversary of September 11 reminds me how shallow all that can be in perspective of what is really important in life. As each and everyone of us do, I have vivid memories of Tuesday, September 11, 2001. I've thought a lot about this post and as I write it now, I am watching clips and videos of 9/11. I did not lose a family member or a friend on this Tuesday in 2001, but it is hard for me not to tear up while watching the images and hearing the audio of this day. It is not just hard...I do cry every time.
I was a senior in high school at Bay High and that morning was a typical morning for a year old. That morning was homecoming candidate picture day, so of course my thoughts were quite absorbed in formal wear, hair and make-up. I sat in a portion of my first period class before heading to get ready. I vividly remember a classmate telling me in the bathroom as we got ready that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Tower but at that time it was all just murmurs...but I remember thinking "this is crazy, a plane, really?" Then it became real. As I sat in a classroom with some of my closest friends...all of us in some sort of formal wear sitting ontop of and in desks watching the television in complete horror as September 11 became a day in history, a day we would all remember. All while this is happening before our eyes, my cell phone (at the time banned from schools - since they were just becoming popular) was going crazy because my MawMaw could not get a hold of my mom and we we all worried since my dad was flying this morning as all this taking place. He was on his way to a job interview in Boston, so emotions were running high until we heard that he was okay and on the ground. My brother was a freshman this year and I just wanted to make sure he was okay...but he unlike me is not as an emotional basketcase.
Between classes what would normally be 10 minutes of socializing in the courtyard and catching up, I distinctly remember a painful silence over our campus...I think there was a silence of fear and the unknown as well, Panama City being a military area...it was the whole, what will happen next. Seeing the picture below, it is strange seeing our smiling faces, it was though at that moment we did not know the magnitude of that day. As the hours and days wore on this day would have a lasting effect on us all.
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| Sept. 11, 2011 |
I have always been one to journal, write down my thoughts...whether it is in scribbles or dooddles or just incomplete sentences. I guess that is why blogging has always come easily to me. As I was sitting here dwelling upon the events on this historic day, I remembered that I did a journal entry on Sept. 10 and I just recently packed up a rubbermaid with Disney VHS and journals - so I knew exactly where to look. It took awhile, but I found it. It was a single sheet of paper talking about being a senior and moving on to what the future hold. And that is the thing about tomorrow, we are not promised it. We only have this moment. We only have today.
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"We had hope...in the early days we had hope that we would find people alive.
That is what kept us going." NY Firefighter |
I made a habit out of trying to send
an email to my loved ones each year after 9/11 to tell them how much I cared, but the truth is today is what counts. Today. Not waiting to enjoy life once A B &C fall into place but to enjoy what is given to you in this moment. After 9/11 I think the core of who many of us are and our patriotism to our country changed. We were instantly reminded how blessed we are to live in a country that rallies together in time of tragedy. The family we love that raised us to be outstanding citizens who care for the welfare of others, who taught us to put God first above all else. I try to remind myself to be so thankful for the amazing friendships that I am blessed with, these beautiful people who encourage me, laugh with me, and create lifelong memories with.
And though we all have our own opinions on the government, our national leaders, and the state of economy...that does not mean we should not thank the courageous men and women who protect our country everyday. The servicemen and women who sacrifice so much. Stop and say thank you. They are the everyday heroes that deserve unending gratitude.
I wish you all would share your stories of September 11 with me, how you changed, and if you stop and think on the anniversary of this day. I often think about when there are grandkids in my life and they ask me
where were you when...often like we had to ask for history classes in school.
