On Remembering

I remember growing up and being so taken aback by the fact that my mom and dad both remembered the exact thing they were doing when JFK was shot.  I remember listening to them talk about it...they did not know one another, did not live anywhere near one another yet they were bonded by that moment.  That moment in time when the country grieved together and grew together.  The thought crossed my mind a few times, "I wonder if there will ever be anything like that in my lifetime?"  Little did I know....

I remember 10 years ago today I was rushing.  Rushing to get to a meeting that I felt, at the time, was so important.  I was showering, getting dressed and literally running out the door of my small, yet comfy, apartment.  It wasn't until I was on the interstate that I turned on my radio.  The first tower had just been hit and I thought "I wonder what happened to that pilot?"  And then the second tower was hit and cars started parking on the side of the interstate during morning rush hour...I pulled over too - a young 23 year old girl not knowing what was happening but knowing in my heart that life was never going to be the same.  It was silent....the busiest area of our capital city was silent.  We all sat there, listening, for who knows how long and then, slowly, we all made our way back on to the road and almost everyone turned around.  I headed back to my apartment...suddenly knowing the world was different...meetings and things did not seem so important.  Rhonald came over soon after that...school was cancelled for the day.  "Go home and be with your families.  Be safe."  they had said.  And so we sat, all day, watching the news and eating chocolate chip cookies.  It was all I knew to make - it was familiar and comforting.  I remember I called home and talked to my mom but, of course, no one had answers.

And still, no one has answers.  I am still brought to tears when I think about the horrible acts of hated on the day.  I look at Cole and Lily and wonder, what will I tell them...will they ever truly understand how that day changed us?  I pray about their future and the country that they will raise their children in and I beg God to save it...may it be so much better than this.  And I am proud - proud of the way we all became one that day.  How there were no strangers...how the flags were flown high for all to see - that we were going to be ok.  Even today, people were friendlier...people were bonded by that one horrible day 10 years ago and today, you could feel it.  I am thankful to be an American.  I am thankful for all of those people who are fighting for my freedom today and who have for years before this.  It was life changing and I know that I, like so many others in this country, will always be able to say that I remember.