Remembering 9/11

Remembering 911

I would venture to say that every adult American living today would be able to say where they were on September 11, 2001. Our family had just celebrated the marriage of our daughter, Margaret, who was on her honeymoon in St. John’s where she and Billy watched the events unfold on foreign soil.

My husband, Tommy had left town after the wedding for a business meeting in New York and although he usually stayed at the Twin Towers Marriott, he changed his plans at the last minute in order to be closer to his meeting. He watched the event live while eating breakfast from a top floor window and experienced New York City as a ghost town. Lynn was in her first year of teaching high school when word spread quickly through the building of the disaster.

I was on a treadmill, trying to get in a few laps before heading to Mississippi for my beloved aunt Bibby’s burial. She died right before the wedding and since we were her closest relatives, we decided it was best to wait so we would not have to rush through her funeral due to the wedding. I never made it to the funeral since all flights were cancelled.

When I began watching the Today show that morning, everything in my world seemed safe, secure and right, until I saw a plane crash into one of the World Trade Center towers. Listening to the commentators talk about the possibilities, everything began to change forever. As I kept watching another plane crashed into the second tower, confirming that this wasn’t an accident, but a horrible act of terrorism. And then the buildings came down and the realization of what was happening began to set in.

Since that fateful day, our world has never been the same. Here are some of the lessons that I have learned from the terrible event of 9/11:

• Love those around us and tell them often
• Don’t wait until tomorrow to do something important for it may never come
• Our hope is found in Christ alone
• Not all people are worthy of our trust
• We can’t stereotype all people just because of the country of their birth
• You shouldn’t just stand by because trying to help is better than doing nothing
• Live life with purpose
• You must always be prepared to meet your Maker
• Police officers, firemen and other public servants are everyday ordinary heroes
• Our country can overcome adversity
• Hate is never a solution
• Good can triumph over evil
• People linking arms can make a difference
• Life is unfair, but God is still good
• Tragedy can make you stronger
• Grief takes many forms
• Life goes on whether we want it to or not
• God is still on the throne, no matter how bad things look

What lessons did you learn from September 11?

 Psalm 106:1-5 Praise the LORD.

 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
   his love endures forever.
Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD
   or fully declare his praise?
Blessed are they who maintain justice,
   who constantly do what is right.

Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people,
   come to my aid when you save them,
that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones,
   that I may share in the joy of your nation
   and join your inheritance in giving praise. 

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