Remembrance

 "Today, our nation saw evil -- the very worst of human nature -- and we responded with the best of America. With the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could. " - President George W. Bush 9/11/2010

This past Sunday was the 10th Anniversary of attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City, New York, September 11, 2001. Most commonly referred to 9/11.

Many of my friends and family took a few minutes to post recalling the exact moment they learned of the tragedy, where they were and what they were doing. I tend to be one of those people who block out bad memories, so honestly I can only recall a few certain memories of that day. I remember that I was in 10th grade I was 15 years old, only 19 days away from my 16th birthday and it was my first year at a new high school, only a little over a month into the school year. I was sitting in my art elective, with Mrs. McCabe, I remember she was so sweet and quiet she was instantly one of my favorite teachers because she saw how painfully shy I was and she was so kind to me. I remember that she really helped my come out of my shell, through my terrible art, lol. But she never let me give up on my assignments. If you know me at all then you already know that I am so easy to catch a stomach bug. Well that day 10 years ago I'm not sure if it was a stomach bug or just nerves related to the new school year but I got terribly sick in front of the whole class, I know wonderful huh?

I'm not really sure of the timeline but I went to the nurses office and they called my mom and she came to pick me up. At some point between my leaving the classroom and my mom coming to pick me up, the first tower was struck.

Of course I was completely oblivious to this life changing even that was in progress, as there was no radio or television in the nurse's office and they had left me to myself to wait for my mom. The nurse stepped into her little corner office which was connected to the little exam room. So my mom came and picked me up, mini bathroom trashcan lined with a wal-mart bag lining, if I learned one thing from my mother, never ever ride in a car when you are nauseous without a mini bathroom trashcan with a walmart bag lining, just in case!

My mother and I got into the car and we barely spoke except for her to ask me if I thought I needed to see a doctor or just rest at home. I told her I thought I would be fine resting up at home and not another word was said the entire ride home, which as my husband can attest to, that is BEYOND ABNORMAL for me a my mother. To give you some perspective, I talk to my mother for 30 minutes or more every single day and sometimes I call her up to 5 times a day and she only lives an hour and a half away from me. I remember that during our eerily silent ride in the car she had the radio on, it was our regular station which was a top 40 country type station, except there was no music. Only the DJ solemnly covering the tragedy as it unfolded. I remember them talking about how no one was sure what had happened at the time, there was speculation as to mechanical failures or possibly the pilot had a heart attach or stroke while flying. We got home my mom got me comfortable on the couch, with my mini bathroom trashcan of course! what if you didn't make it to the bathroom in time?

The news was on and I became glued to it, soon after I got home the second tower was struck, and that is when the news media became hysterical and everyone realized that it was an intentional strike. America had been brutally attacked. I remember watching paralyzed when they began to show what they thought was building debris at first, but soon realized that it was people who chose to jump from the windows instead of being burned alive in the blaze, I remember news anchors screaming and crying as this was realized.

I remember the first tower collapsing, and the huge smoke cloud and debris. I remember the terror and absolute heartbreak in the newscaster's voices as we realized the first responders were in the shadow of the towers and many had lost their lives trying to save their fellow Americans.I remember the video footage of the chaos as police, firefighters and EMT trying to regroup only to walk back into the hell that had claimed their brothers.



I remember the second tower collapse, I didn't move, I didn't cry, I just stared completely speechless and numb.

Not long after that, they broke in to announce that the pentagon had been struck and finally the crash in Pennsylvania which was suspected to be intended for the White House.



After that I don't have any clear memories. I know there was news footage for days and months on the progress of search and rescue which turned to recovery and finally rebuilding. I remember the specials on the 9/11 babies, children who will never know their fathers because they weren't even born yet. 

As I read this I realize I remember a lot more than I claim to. Truly 9/11 has been the absolute worst tragedy I have ever experienced in my life, including riding through Hurricane Katrina in Gulfport, MS.

We had a beautiful memorial service at church on Sunday.

I teared up and almost cried. I'm not sure how, when where or why but I have an immense and deep rooted American pride. Every time I hear of a solider going away from his family to serve this country I tear up a little. Every time I hear of a solider coming home from war, I cry, even when they show a soldier being greeted by his dog who has clearly missed him every minute he was gone. I cried in church when the JROTC brought in the colors and I choked up during the pledge of allegience. I have a pride like nothing else when it comes to our country and our people, especially the public servants.

For a small project our friends the Howingtons and McCombs joined us in baking goodies to give to our local service men and women. It was really a great time. We visited two fire houses and a police station, delivering our cookies and expressing our deep gratitude for their service. Suprisingly I did not see any evidence that others had done the same.

The firemen were so sweet, they opened the fire truck up and let the kids climb in a look around. It was really special.

On another note is was an extra special day for us, since recently losing our favorite fireman Asst. Chief David Roberts Sr. we felt his loss even more that day. But we used it in a positive light to honor a great man.

We miss you Grandpa Dave!