When tragedy struck on 9-11, I was a homeschool mom of 3. Since then I have met survivors, victims families, and taught about 9-11 as history. That day I turned on the computer and recorded in real time my feelings and thoughts. My kids were ages 7, 5 and 10 mos. Below is that journal entry simply cut and pasted here. We read it each year to REMEMBER. (photos are not mine, I tried to find credits where I could~see below)
My dear sweet ones, Sept. 11, 2001
Today was the worst day in the history of America since I have been born. We watched with grave disbelief as terrorists forever changed my country. They brazenly hijacked 4 planes filled with fuel and set out to destroy. Their first target was the World Trade Center Towers in which nearly 50,000 innocent people worked daily. They struck at around 9 am, just as their workdays were starting. Then they struck our center of nations defenses, the Pentagon, and one attempt was thwarted to attack the command center and retreat of the president, Camp David. That plane was downed about 60 or so miles from here in a clearing in the mountains. Close to 300 people were killed on the hijacked planes and a total body count can’t even be speculated.
The thought these terrorists were so close to us, even though it was our airspace is quite sobering. I have a feeling that this is not the end, but a beginning of testing for America, which used to be known as a super power. Now, our vulnerability has been shown to the world.
Praise God that so far, all those we know and love are safe and sound.
The prevailing feeling of dread and sadness is quite oppressive this evening as we await a State of the Union address from President Bush. The state of the union is pretty bleak at this point.
You kids watched the disaster today on CNN but I am not sure how much of the magnitude of this disaster you are processing. It is history in the making and the worst day in the history of our United States. I pray that it will be only a memory for you and that in your lives you will not experience human casualties such as we are facing.
We are a nation in mourning. Well over 200 Firefighters are dead and 78 Police are missing and presumed killed. The confidence in our nation has been shaken. TV reports are calling this a second Pearl Harbor.
President Bush just spoke and quoted Psalm 23. He is a Godly man and I pray his wisdom will prevail and he will be sensitive to the leading of God as the details of this tragedy are sorted out.
I put you both to bed tonight and read to you Psalm 94. It speaks of God’s revenge upon the wicked and of how HE will be our refuge in times of trials and fear. He is the rock upon which we stand and our mighty fortress. At times like these I am so thankful for the legacy my family has instilled in me – The legacy of a powerful and just God who is our defender and friend, comforter and convictor, our rock, our fortress our haven and our healer. I pray that you will also carry that legacy forward and hold fast to it at times when faith is so easily and brutally shaken.
This day, September 11 will be one I will never forget. It is a day I never thought would come. I picked up our precious baby Rachel and I feared what was in store for her sweet life down the road. As I tucked each of you and touched your soft skin and hair I ached for your safety and assurance horrific things such as happened today would never touch your lives.
I shut out the light and walked away with a renewed determination to work at instilling the scriptures and the values that are found in the bible. God forbid that one day you live in a world that prohibits bible ownership, you will have the truths in your heart and the hymns of praise will be on your lips.
I love you my little lambs, my gifts from God. I go to bed tonight with a heavy heart for all those kids who will be waiting up for parents that will never come home. For all the promises made by parents who will never return to fulfill them. I go to bed feeling thankful though somewhat guilty for our safety and our life. May God continue to protect us all and keep us together as a family until His return.
Love,
Mom
9-10-2011: I hope we remember how we felt the next day also. The soar of patriotism. Pride in our country, unabashed praying in public, compassion for neighbors and strangers who were grieving. We can’t go back to 9-10-01 and undo the tragedy. But we can go back to 9-12-01 and revisit and renew our hope in a country of people who were united and prayerful through loss.
Point to Ponder: Were you more patriotic in 2001 than you are in 2011? Do you trust God more or less now than in 2001?
PHOTO: Ariel (Det. Greg Semendinger/NYC Police Aviation Unit)
Prayer at crosss http://saintmychaljudge.blogspot.com/ 911 Praying photo
Skyline New York Mag . com
I remember so well, my baby was 5mo old to the day. I was doing yard work when the sitter cried out to me what was happening. There was a stillness in the air, you could almost smell it.
I really appreciate the thought of 9/12. Everywhere today people are blaming other for all problems. “Nobody knows what they are doing today.” Hopefully I can start to look at people and remember I don’t know their hearts, but be kind and attentive and merciful in thought and deed.