To remember a day that happened before they were even born.
But I remember. I had just gotten married a few months before.
I was living in newly married glow, attending college classes, working a part time job.
And then my world got rocked.
I found myself sucked into the news coverage, never wanting to turn it off-- but wishing I wasn't watching it.
I saw the second tower collapse.
The days following were surreal. My dad had to rent a car to make it home from his business trip as no planes were flying.
But something that did begin flying-- was our flag.
People were a little kinder, people were more ready to help out, people prayed more, people remembered how great this country was and what it really stood for.
I always say in life that I want to be grateful for what I have and humble about who I am on my own-- as I don't want a need to be compelled to be humble. I don't always succeed and sometimes life does come along and humble me, but I try.
9-11 shook and humbled this country-- but for how long?
How long until people began cutting off the next car in a hurry to their destination?
How long until they took down their flag and put it away?
How long until they stopped praying?
I don't want to be compelled to be humble, I want to remember on my own. And I pray and wish the same for this country.
Please remember.
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Thanks to all who entered the What to Expect Book Giveaway-- the winner is
Congrats- I emailed the winner last night and she has 48 hours to get back to me or a new winner will be picked.
I remember.
ReplyDeleteI try to remember. I still love your flag picture!
ReplyDeleteWell said.
ReplyDeleteWhen you said it happened before they were born, it took me aback for a second because it still seems so fresh to me. But it really has been a long time since that awful, awful day. :(
ReplyDeleteWell said indeed. We're heading to The Healing Field in a little while, a flag for each person who died. I don't want to ever forget either.
ReplyDeleteWow, Emily that is so good. As I read your testimony of that time, I think of my own... tears are running down my face. May we never forget. May we compel ourselves to share with our children what they day meant to us and our nation. May we never forget the lives lost, the lives sacrificed and the wars fought.
ReplyDeleteThat was a beautiful post Emily. That is a day I will never forget, those images on the news will never leave me. I still get teary eyed when I think about it.
ReplyDeleteMaybe having the kids wear red white and blue is to help us remember. They will never know how that felt. I tear up every time I think about it. Get that awful lump in my throat. And seeing our children represent those colors true mean it's still there. We remember. Beautifully written my friend. Love you.
ReplyDeleteI want people to remember on their own! I don't want to have something like this happen again. And isn't it strange to think our kids are affected by something that happened before them?
ReplyDeleteIt seems like it was yesterday...can't believe it's been 11 years....
ReplyDeleteIt was strangely wonderful to see the way our country came together after so much heartbreak and tragedy. I would NEVER want to repeat those day, but wish we could always be united like that.
ReplyDeleteYep. Great message. I pray we never forget. But we do. I wrote a post today on 9-11 as well, about how we are bickering again about politics and economics. We are fickle people, and it makes me sad.
ReplyDeleteI know, it was impossible to imagine not being in front of the news but SO hard to watch.
ReplyDeleteWe *are* fickle people, but your post is a really good reminder of those things we had after 9-11 and the things and feelings that we should keep close to our hearts!
ReplyDeletescary the being compelled stuff, isn't it? How quickly people do forget. It makes me sad. I really hope we as a country can not fall into the pride cycle yet again.
ReplyDelete