10 years ago, on the morning of September 11th, I received a phone call from Grant at work. (He was working at a Medical Center, to put himself through the last year of his Bachelors Degree. Our second born, Sariah, was not even 3 months old, and Riana was just over 1 1/2 years.) He told me that I needed to turn on the TV right away. He said that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. I asked him if it was an accident and he didn't know. I turned it on, just in time to see the second plane hit the second tower. In that moment, I no longer had any doubts- I knew it was an act of terrorism. About an hour later, I watched as each of these massive buildings came crashing down. The footage was so incredibly sad... and yet, so riveting. I sat in front of my television for days- completely in shock.
I felt addicted to the stories of 9-11. I was especially touched by the heroes of flight 93 (and even later bought a book called, "Let's Roll.") I felt inspired by the words of President Bush. I felt proud to be an American, while feelings of revenge consumed me. I held my family members a little tighter and cried for the loss of so many. (3000 children lost a parent that day, including some who hadn't even been born yet. Also, 8 children died on the flights that crashed.)
Today, I feel those thoughts and feelings all coming back. I am so thankful for those who sacrificed for our country on that day, and for the last ten years. I have been so inspired by the individual lives that all these people lived. And for the miracles of that day, like that of Pasquale Buzzelli or of Stairway B.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/sept11/2002-09-05-miracles-usat_x.htm
Today, I have watched a lot of programs about that day, but one was clearly my favorite. If you have an opportunity, watch this 1/2 hour Music and the Spoken Word Special by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir & Tom Brokaw entitled, "9-11: Rising Above." It is an incredibly moving tribute.
http://byutv.org/watch/event/48546045-ad33-4226-ad2d-c657e891e18a
(In this video, they mention Brady Howell. Grant and I had the incredible privilege of attending the funeral in his honor, in Idaho, as Grant and Brady were friends and roomates, on their mission. Brady worked in the Pentagon. It was so special to be there. Brady's wife, Liz, was hugging everyone and was just amazing. What an honor it was to meet her! I also remember that there were so many people there- I would guess over a thousand. It was a wonderful tribute to a wonderful guy. I was glad we were able to make it.)
Also, on the one year mark, we lived in Utah. At a nearby park, they had a flag placed in the ground for everyone person that died. Walking through those almost 3000 flags brought me to tears. I could not believe just how many flags there were. It was completely overwhelming to realize that each of these flags had a story about a unique and precious life. I'm glad we took to time to walk through those flags. (I found this photo online to kind of give you an idea of what it was like.)
I will never forget just how I felt that day, on the day that changed America forever.
2 comments:
It's one of those days that everyone will remember where they were and what they were doing when they heard about it. I was in Ellensburg. She was having carpel tunnel surgery and as the nurse took me to her room she told me about it. It didn't sink in at first.
Wow, these stories, are amazing. I was in Utah, asleep on Celestia's apartment floor, when she called me from work, and told me to turn on the television. Very shocking day. But a few years later, it changed into a day of joy and hope for me (you know why). So that's what I focus on.
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