Monday, May 7, 2007

Will I ever forget?

Last night we watched World Trade Center. I felt like I was back in 2001 re-living those terrible days. It even filled my dreams. The emotions it evoked were strong, but I'm glad I watched it.

This morning I pulled out my journal and read something I wrote on the fifth anniversary of September 11.

"September 11, just writing that date makes my heart skip a beat. Five years have past since since that day, but seeing the date written down brings it all back.

Will I ever forget...

The shock of watching that first plane hit the tower?

The feeling of knowing we were under attack when the second plane hit the tower?

The panic that came with the question what's next as the next two planes crashed?

The sight of President Bush, standing side by side with the NYFD fire fighter, declaring our intention to protect our country and our freedoms.

The posters taped up around ground zero for missing loved ones?

The palpable grief of hundreds of NYFD and NYPD families who lost their heroes?

Bodies falling from the windows of the towers?

The moment the towers fell?

How beautiful the sky was and how surreal that felt?

The families of victims being interviewed?

The inability to wake up for several mornings after that day with out
praying "Please, let it all be a horrible night-mare."

The celebration of our country's loss by some nations around the world?

The kindness, generosity, and selflessness shown by US citizens and citizens of many countries around the world, as they waited in line for hours to give blood, donated money, or drove for hours just for the chance to help?

The tears?

Hiking in the state park that weekend to get back to some kind of normalcy.
Lots of other people must have had the same need. The park was full. While we were hiking a plane flew over head. Everyone on the trail became silent, looked up, and just stood there~ waiting?

The feeling that nothing will ever be the same?


Will I ever forget? I hope not.

The lessons from that day were painful, but the best ones usually are. Every second counts. Community is important. Freedom can't be taken for granted. Life is precious.

No, I never want to forget.

1 comment:

  1. I agree with you. That day, because of some stuff we were going through at the time that seemed all-consuming, really put things in perspective. I don't think I'll get over going to NYC on Jan. 11, just months later, and walking up the ramp looking down to Ground Zero. I felt so small and insignificant compared to all the thousands of people who were lost that day, and to a God who is in control of it all.

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