Normally, I take Mondays off. But seven years ago today, before Lydia was born, when Joshua was teething and I wasn't sleeping, I took a Tuesday too. I had crept out of the house early that morning to meet a friend at the golf course. We were half way through our round when back at the clubhouse we noticed a bunch of golfers peering through the windows at the TV in the bar. The Twin Towers in NYC had been hit. By something. Someone. Nobody knew who.Our immediate reaction was to skip golf and go home to see if we still had one and if everyone in them was safe. Dates like July 4, 1776. December 7, 1941. June 6, 1944. November 22, 1963. And September 11, 2001 all evoke a powerful emotional response when simply mentioned. Where were you on 9/11? What was your response? What image has been permanently tatooed into your memory?
I remember the day being a beautiful sunny blue sky day, much like today. Sitting at work five days after I had dropped my oldest daughter off at college. (the first one to leave the nest) The news was shocking, I remember thinking... why us, how did this happen in our homeland. But my thoughts were interrupted by a call from my daughter, classes were canceled, fighter jets flying all around Columbus.... what do I do Dad? I needed to reassure her things were going to be OK (all the while I was wondering myself) but after a few minutes of reassurance, we both agreed that God was still in control, and we needed to trust him in all things.
ReplyDeleteLife has returned to normal for most of us not directly involved that day.
But let us never forget!!
I have been to the site were flight 93 went down and have stood with tears in my eyes, recalling the cell calls that have been played of that day. Many heros and brave people can be thanked for saving a possible fourth plane from reaching it's true destination.
I erected a flag pole shortly after that day and proudly fly a flag each and every day in honor of all our brave military people who sacrifice so much to allow us to be free and to worship as we see fit.
May God continue his many blessings!
Kelly
Beautiful recap Kelly. Thanks for sharing!!!
ReplyDeleteI was in history class in Collegedale academy on 9/11. They moved TV's into the library and we all crowed around to watch. Class was forgotten for the rest of the that terrible day.
ReplyDeleteOn that morning I was taking my class in Hebrew Kingdoms at Bluefield College, and I heard about it as soon as class was over. It was just beyond belief.
ReplyDeleteHenry
On 9/11 I was driving into the parking garage at OSU to go to work when I heard about it on the radio. I ran into the hospital (four months pregnant) and watched TV in an empty patient room with my other nurse friends.
ReplyDeleteOSU is 6th in the nation for disaster response-meaning trauma patients from all over the country are flown to us in times of national disaster. I'll never forget the feeling when we realized that we weren't getting anyone because they were mostly dead.......Most of us cried for quite a while......
Shannon
On 9/11 I was driving into the parking garage at OSU to go to work when I heard about it on the radio. I ran into the hospital (four months pregnant) and watched TV in an empty patient room with my other nurse friends.
ReplyDeleteOSU is 6th in the nation for disaster response-meaning trauma patients from all over the country are flown to us in times of national disaster. I'll never forget the feeling when we realized that we weren't getting anyone because they were mostly dead.......Most of us cried for quite a while......
Shannon
I was with Daniel and Connor that morning, stayed home to take them to the dentist. I hugged them close as I tried to find Katrina. She worked of US Air at the time. Once I found her. I hugged my boys close. Thanking God I had them right there. Then I cried because I KNEW so many families had been torn apart that day.
ReplyDeleteThank God HE is in control Kelly... We have to always remember that.
I had taken the last flight from Boston airport the night before, and was at home on 9/11 morning when people started calling to see if I was safe.
ReplyDeleteWe visited the WTC site three weeks after, and were moved by the somberness around the area as people cried silently. Felt like sacred space oasis carved out from the rest of frenzied life in NYC.