I Will Not Forget
September 11, 2001 raising the U.S. flag
In the eight years since that terrible Tuesday morning that shook the world my feelings about Septmber 11, 2001 have evolved as I have grown and changed. Today, I want to offer my prayers and condolences for all of those who lost loved ones on that horrific day, and really to all of us because each one of us who was alive and cognizant of what was going on lost so much on that day.
Eight years ago I had only recently met my (now ex) husband. We had communicated for a few weeks online and then on the phone, but we had only just met in person in July. By September we were each hinting around about the possibilities of marriage. We were in love, but living in separate cities. He was in D.C. and I was in Boston. So, on September 11, when it seemed like the world might be crashing down, we frantically tried to get in touch with each other.
As we each watched the coverage of the days events from so far apart we both knew that our lives and the whole world would never be the same again. I cried and I prayed for all of those who had died in the attacks and for those who were left behind. The sadness and grief was overwhelming and it made me hold those that I loved even closer.
A few weeks later we were engaged having been swept up in the high drama of the world changing so quickly before our eyes. We didn’t know if he was going to be shipped off somewhere to serve his duty, so we felt a sense of urgency. There were a lot of quick weddings around that time with service men being shipped off to serve leaving their families and loved ones behind.
Now when I think back on those days my heart breaks for all that we lost. This bogus war sprung up out of the madness of 9/11 despite the fact that those we invaded were not the ones who attacked us. My heart breaks for the men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our country in this war that seems unending and without meaning.
One glimmer of hope that I see is that the memory of 9/11/01 is now being honored in a day of service. People are getting out and giving of their time and energy to serve the community to make this world better each in our own small way.
I love my country and we suffered a deep wound on that day. We have grieved and we are healing but we should never forget the terrible losses and sacrifices of that day for as long as we live.
