This weekend marks the 10th anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2001. The loss of life that day rivals that of Pearl Harbor, not to mention the affect that it has and continues to have, on every American to this day. Just like the assassinations of JFK, RFK, MLK, many people will never forget where they were that day when the skies were filled with evil and horror. What strikes me is that from the day that tragic event occurred to this upcoming weekend, is that no matter how many times I watch the video from that day, I find myself crying uncontrollably at the loss of life at the hands of those who were nothing but waste of human flesh and who were blinded by the brainwashing of such terrorists like bin Laden (who, thankfully, now sits at the same table in Hell as Hitler, Hussein, and many others).
My heart breaks to this day for the families and friends who lost loved ones that day, never in a million years imagining that they once they walked out the door, their world would be changed forever. My sympathy for them is beyond measure, my love for them is enduring as a fellow American and a human being. I will not stand by and watch my fellow Americans fall victim to those whose hatred towards us is based on gibberish and brainwashing.
As a country that was established by people who dared braved the open ocean in order to flee from tyranny at the hands of England, and firmly established themselves as a free country, to a country that has endured a Civil War that nearly tore our country apart, that survived a Great Depression, an attack by the first of many countries who hate us based on our freedom, it only goes to show how enduring the American spirit is and how those who despise us will go to any length to put an end to our lives.
Watching the tv that day, seeing the smoke billowing from the first tower, my heart began to break, and then the second plane hitting the second tower, just shook me to my core. I briefly lost my breath, and then I reached out and grabbed the hand of my friend sitting next to me as we both realized that we were under attack. Of course, the day would only get worse as the Pentagon was attacked and then another plane landed in a field in Pennsylvania. Nothing like this has ever happened in my lifetime and to say the least, my first thought was, "OMG.....is my child safe at school?" As bad as I wanted to go and take him out, I knew that unwarranted panic would not be necessary and would not help. That was probably the hardest thing as parent I've ever had to do.....to keep myself from going and grabbing my child and bringing him back to keep him safe. I felt guilty because mothers lost children, husbands lost wives, wives lost husbands, siblings lost siblings, and children lost parents. Watching the pain unraveling live on national TV was absolutely heartbreaking. While the world watched, a national tragedy was unfolding, our wounds opened and bleeding, for just a brief moment our guard was down, but not out.
Afterwards, I witnessed a sense of patriotism I've never experienced and I would think was similar to after the attack at Pearl Harbor. For just a brief moment, I was taken back in time, to feel a kinship to those whose lost at Pearl Harbor was unimaginable up to this point. It was if all the soldiers who ever died for our country were in spirit banding together to keep our country safe.
What can we learn from this tragedy? Well, for each person it will be different. For myself, I have discovered that tolerance has its limit. That it takes time to get to know people where before I would usually trust first, ask questions later. I have discovered that I love my country (in good and bad times), that my faith in God has taken a slight detour (for now), but that I do love Him and trust that the day will come when everyone will be united with their loved ones. My trust in our government (although never really solid), is battered as well. The fact that our government (not the military), has dilly dallied around, yanking everyone's chain, makes me question everything else they do now.
I know that some people doubt that God was watching that day, but I firmly believe that He was indeed watching and His heart broke as He had to allow this to play out so that bigger and better things would come out of it. Who are we to tell God what to do?
Everyone will take something different from this event. But with the upcoming 10th anniversary fast approaching ( and really, everyday), please remember those who lost their lives that day. Office workers, brokers, lawyers, secretaries and everyone else in the towers as well as the rescue workers, the police, the firemen and the emt's. May they all rest in peace within the arms of God.
WE ARE AMERICA....I AM AN AMERICA......GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!
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