9/11

Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime. Adlai E. Stevenson



I remember where I was on 9/11. I was at my first job out of college, green as can be. I turned off the news to head to work right before the first plane hit the World Trade Center. For whatever reason, I didn't listen to the radio that morning...I was trying to remember what I all had to do that day. I got to work and headed to my office and got down to work. After about half an hour I headed up to the main office and when I walked in, I almost ran right into a television on a cart. It was a fuzzy picture at best, and I asked everyone what was going on.



My coworkers informed me that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. I saw the pictures and was sad that a plane must have mistakenly hit one of the towers. The news was reporting that planes had in the past hit the towers. It was definetely news, but nothing overly suspicious at this point.



Then...the second plane hit. I watched the television and I was completely stunned. No one said a word. We all new something much much worse was going on. The rest...you all know.



Even though I did not know anyone personally who died that day or was at ground zero, I felt an emotionally overwhelming connection to all of the people there. I cried and prayed for them that day and for many more days to come.



I am sure it was similar to the experiences our parents/grandparents had with Pearl Harbor and other such events in history. But this was the first major single day catastrophy in my life time. It brought into clear focus for me the fragility of our nation and our freedoms--not because of anything our nation did wrong, but because of the hate that exists in the world for our country. Until that day, I had no idea it existed. I also had no idea the effect it would have on our nation! It was absolutely stunning to me to see the reactions--songs, dedications, war, memorials, etc.



For me, it also added tremendous meaning to Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. My family, like many others I am sure, never really talked about the meaning of these days. I personally feel it is my responsiblity to teach my kids about why these holidays exist...that it goes far beyond fireworks and cookouts. I think this is my way to honor the people who have sacrificed for our country so that I could be here now doing what I love most--being a mama.