I'd awakened early that morning to hit I-10 headed west to Pensacola from Tallahassee (FL). I was going to fly to Japan with my parents who were going to see my brother. As a career sailor, he was stationed there , and was being made Chief of the Boat.
It's funny how we all know where we were and what we were doing when 9/11 happened....as in an historic event of catastrophic proportion that would, for most of us, change our way of life.
I'd gotten on the road around 7:30 that morning to make the 3 hour drive home. As is my usual on a road trip, I started out with the available radio stations but soon found myself listening to cassette tapes (I KNOW:O) when the only stations left were light rock and country. So, for the next two and a half hours, I was away from any news and information. By the time I would get to Pensacola, my momma would greet me at the door with the news. "Hey, you ready to go to Japan?", I said. She replied, "girl, we ain't going nowhere; they're flying planes into buildings in New York". I heard her but didn't quite get it until I went into the house and saw the frightening images on the television. By that time, both of the twin towers had been hit, and it would be only a short time until they would both consequently collapse. Devastating to watch....unimaginable to live through.
The first year or two, may be even three or four, found many of us more aware....maybe even scared. Stricter security measures were put into place by the Transportation Security Administration and threat levels were raised. Threat levels....I think that was the first time I and many like me had experienced an act of terrorism or any semblance of an act so great that life as you know it....CHANGES! Al qaeda, and Osama Bin Laden would be deemed responsible. But before that, first responders would dig through rubble and debris in an effort to rescue any survivers; the body count would rise, and remains would go unfound and the souls of those loved by someone in this world would come to rest at the same place where their lives would be lost. Literally, it would be years....and fast forward to a decade later before those most closely affected by 9/11 would begin to put the pieces back together....if at all.
As I watch the ceremonies and dedications of memorials on television, as I see the families still deeply moved by the mentioning of their loved one's names...as I see 9 year old kids-- who never met their fathers-- carry a picture or wear a t-shirt with the name or face of their dad on it, I am reminded of just how resilient we really can be. I 'm reminded of how we can come together for the common good of humankind. I'm am reminded that as a wife, a mother, a sister, an aunt, a cousin, a friend....I am loved and truly have so much for which to be grateful. I am reminded that, in spite of that dreadful day, ten years ago, life continues....even through me. The circle of life continues as both of my parents have since died, and those lives lost are still remembered... whether by their loved ones who knew them intimately... or by me who became aware of them as a part of their death. I remember 9/11/2001 and I am saddened, encouraged and overwhelmingly thankful.
The views, insights and opinions of a mom.wife.journalist.woman.sister.friend who enjoys sharing her thoughts and life... hoping to make her space in the world just a little bit better
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NYC trip with the girls!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
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