My Family

My Family

Monday, September 11, 2006

Five Years Ago

The morning of Sept. 11, 2001 was exciting for Pat and I.
We were making a trip to sign the final paperwork on our first home.
Going to bed the night before, we were thrilled thinking that on the morrow we would be homeowners!
As we woke up very early that morning, we had one purpose in mind...to get ready and start our trip to the title company.
Our hurried preparations were interrupted by a phone call from my cousin, telling me, with horror in her voice that I needed to turn on the television.
I nonchalantly walked in, flicked the power button, and waited, a little frustrated, while my cousin continued talking to me on the other end.
I had no idea what I was going to see.
I could not have imagined what came onto the screen.
Seeing first one plane, and then a second plane hit both World Trade Center towers, and seeing those towers fall, will be pictures literally burnt into my brain for the rest of my life.
I quickly called my husband to come and watch, and we both stood, shocked at the images, and reality, that was before us.

What we had anticipated being a joyous day for us, suddenly became bittersweet.
While our lives still were focused on the positive changes for the day, we were completely and utterly faced with how quickly reality could change.
We were saddened and horrified at what had happened within our world on this day.

Since September 11, 2001, I know our personal reality has never returned to encompass the trusting, the fearlessness, and the abandon with which we took things for granted.
I mourn and am sorrowful for the lives that were lost, and the negative impact that this experience has had on so many throughout our nation.

However, I know that I must press forward, teaching tolerance and trust in the lives of those who surround me.
It is the least I can do.
Live in faith, not in fear, and instill strength and love in my children.
Then they can take those gifts, and truly make this world a brighter and better place to live.

5 comments:

Dawnyel said...

Beautifully put! I wish I could have said it the same way you did! :)

Anonymous said...

My husband always reminds me where fear is faith cannot exist. Thanks for sharing your memories.

SalGal said...

I'm going to be the porcupine today. I don't believe we need to tolerate anything. We should respect one anothers differences, but tolerate? No. I don't believe that is necessary.

I'm sorry that day is connected with what should have been a happy day for you. Here's to hoping you'll upgrade your home on another day in the future!

Amanda said...

Very well put! We musn't live in fear although sometimes it would be easy to let fear rule our lives.
Thanks for sharing your memory with us. Congratulations (five years late) on your house. ;)

Hy said...

Execllent tribute! Faith is as essential to our spirits as air is to our bodies. Satan works hard to undermine faith, and replace it with fear. Peace can come to us in the midst of uncertainity and pain when we seek to know we are walking God's path.