Today, where ever you are, stop and take a moment to reflect on what happened seven years ago today in Manhattan, at the Pentagon, and in the rural hills of Pennsylvania.
I was living in South Carolina at the time, and woke up to my roommates crowded around the television. The North and South Towers had already been struck, and we watched in shock as the media announced that this was a deliberate attack, and that more planes might have been hijacked.
Then the news reported that the Pentagon was struck, and all hell broke loose.
In quick succession, the South Tower collapsed, Flight 93 crashed into the fields of Pennsylvania, and then the North Tower collapsed.
My friend burst into tears when we learned that it was Flight 93 that had crashed. Her father was supposed to be on that plane. By some stroke of luck, or grace of God, he and his friends (who were in New York to play a softball tournament) did not get on that flight.
I remember crying... and thinking, "What do we do now?"
I remember calling my mom. Phones were patchy, sometimes you could get through, sometimes you couldn't. Everyone knew someone who was missing. My mom's friend was contracted for work at the Pentagon, and it wasn't until two weeks later that we learned he was safe, and had taken a vacation that week.
We were the lucky ones, and today we remember all who lost their lives to those horrific acts of terrorism. We remember the brave rescuers who rushed into danger and saved lives and lost friends. We remember the fathers who frantically called home just to hear the voice of their child one last time.
We remember our innocence... and our anger.
This is not something you forget or get over. It never should be.
Please take a moment today to remember.
I invite you all to leave your thoughts and prayers.
