9 Years Later

Has it really been that long?? It seems almost impossible, and it also seems like it never really happened. I can remember so many details about that day. It's unreal how easily I can recall exactly where I was when I heard the news and exactly what happened next.

I had missed school the day before and I had missed a test in my Bible class. I had gone into the school library to take the test and was a few questions into it. Suddenly, an announcement came over the intercom saying the World Trade Center had been attacked. I have to be honest, I had NO idea what or where the WTC was. My teacher quickly called me back into the room and we all sat in the class room quietly talking about what could possibly be going on, what the WTC was, who new someone near it, ect. My teacher quickly got on the phone to talk to the principle and find out what was going on. Shortly after the bell rang and I remember the hallways being so quiet. Although at that point none of us truely knew what this meant, we all knew it was bad and we all felt it. Our next class was Government and our teacher in there had the radio on. I remember watching her try to hold back the tears in her eyes as she explained what was happening. It was at that point that I knew this was BIG, this was life changing. Someday my kids would be reading about this in their history books and I would be able to tell them my experience. By now fear was hitting people, especially as the news began to tell of the second tower being hit, the pentagon, and then the crash in PA. A good friend of mine began sobbing because it seemed that the planes were getting closer and no one knew how many there were. We were all scared. I remember hearing a small plane fly overhead, a common occurance when you are down the road from a small airport, and being terrified that it was going to slam into the school. Rumors started flying around the school. Things like "Gas was up to $10 a gallon now", "So and so's relative works in one of the Twin Towers", "We won't be allowed to leave school and might have to spend the night". Typical High School rumors in situations like this. I believe we were released early that day. Terrified parents wanted their kids with them at a time like this. From the moment I got home from school and until I went to bed I watched the news. I sat there looking at these flaming buildings that I didn't even know existed before now, knowing that this was bad. Very bad.

Unfortunately, I didn't in anyway realize just how much that day would affect me. I knew it meant changes for the country as a whole, but I never thought it would impact my life much more than anyone else around me. I knew that from now on September 11th would be a day of rememberance, burden, and sadness. I hurt for those that lost loved ones. I felt sad and I cried. Other than that, I figured my life would go on and not be deeply touched. I was beyond wrong. A new war started and before I knew it I had an Uncle fighting over there. Even at that point, I still didn't "get it". I knew it was dangerous, but I didn't fully understand a deployment. Then my boyfriend joined the Army and soon after became my fiance. On February 28, 2008, the 9/11 attack of 2001 finally had its biggest impact on me. Payton was off to Iraq for a year to fight this war that started 7 years before. I think it was at that point that I became the most angry at what had happened years earlier. I wanted more than ever to know why they did it, how this could have happened....all the typical questions. It was a long year full of worry and fear. I thank God often that he protected my Soldier and brought hm back to us safely. I also thank God that he protected my Uncle who has now served 3 tours of duty in Iraq. Also, various other family members who have been overseas. I thank God for my Aunt Sandy and the great support she was while Payton was deployed. He and my uncle were there at the same time, and it was amazing to have a family member who knew exactly what I was going through.

September 11, 2001 will never, ever be forgotten. It's just not possible. It taught me that life is short, we as Americans still face dangers, and things that happen in your life can impact you in ways you never imagined, even years down the road. It taught me to be thankful for what I have, and it also taught me to trust God more than I ever did before. When your "safe" country is attacked, and then people you love are in the middle of a war...well what else can you do but trust God?

Today I pray for the families of those that were lost on that day. I pray for our government, especially those in charge of making the decisions about the military and homeland security. Mostly, I pray for our troops. I pray God keeps them safe and brings them all back to their loved ones. I pray for those that have lost someone in this war, even just as recently as this past week. May God bless those families and give them the strength they need to deal with their loss!