Alan Jackson

9/11
Today is a date.
A date that rewrote history books.
A date that change lives.
A date that will not be forgotten.
EVER.


10 years ago our perspectives changed.
Our lives changed.


So many of you are telling "your stories".  
Here's mine:


Hubby went to work at 7.  Just like every other day.
I took 5 month old Sassy to daycare and took off for my 27 min commute to work. As I drove, I was listening to the radio.  A pop station that prided themselves in pranks, jokes, laughs, shenanigans and music.  As I pulled into the parking lot of the school I worked at just in time for our Tuesday morning department meeting, I heard the news.  A plane had hit the World Trade Center.  Joke?  I wasn't sure, but I know I didn't feel right as I walked into that meeting. 5 minutes later a co-worker walked in sobbing.  This was NOT a joke.


I had to stay at work that day.


The children at school needed us to be there.


I wanted to go home more than anything.  The unknown scared me.  I remember talking with a coworker about the uncertainty of our future as a country. As people.  


We didn't know what was going on.
We didn't understand.


Why?
How?
Who?
What was to come?
Who would be next?
Were we safe?


Finally, the last kids got on their buses and as they did I ran to my car.  I just wanted to go home.  I wanted to see my family. My husband, my daughter.  My beautiful 5 month old daughter, who should never have to experience this kind of world.  The uncertainty. The hate. The pain.  When I got home I saw the most beautiful sight.  My hubby and daughter lounging on a blanket in the backyard.  I was so relieved. 


The one lasting impression that will never leave me is the eeriness of that night and the next few days.  You see, we lived by a major airport.  Living there were so use to airplane noise.  So use to it we never even "heard" it anymore.  But when all air travel ceased.  We noticed.  It was so quiet.  Too quiet.  


I remember the silence.


I remember watching on TV.
Hoping and praying for all those in New York. All those affected physically or emotionally whether near or far.


And then this song by Alan Jackson came out.  I'm not typically a country song lover, but there are some songs that just hit me, and this was one of them.



"Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)"

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or working on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Risin' against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out in pride for the red, white and blue
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters?

[Chorus:]
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell 
you the difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you teaching a class full of innocent children
Or driving down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?

Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Or speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Or go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
Did you stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love?

[Repeat Chorus 2x]
And the greatest is love.
And the greatest is love.

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day? 


So here's what I think and feel.


It bugs me that we think about this impactful day only on it's anniversary. And especially on specific ones  ~ 5, 10.... Really we should NEVER forget.


We should pray for the safety and peace of our soldiers today and every day.  They are leaving their families, friends, jobs and lives as they know them to fight for our country. Never knowing what may happen to them or those they love, while they are gone.  Would you be able to do the same.  I couldn't.

Source

We should thank God EVERYDAY for our lives, families, safety and country.  It could all be gone tomorrow.


We should fight for what we believe to be right. Not with violence, but with words. Political and otherwise. We all have opinions, and all opinions (whether we agree or not) should be valued.


Here's what I know:


I will never forget today or any day.
I will never forget to be thankful.
I will never forget to be prayerful.
I will try to value everyone's thoughts and feelings whether or not they are the same as mine.


I know I will choke up when I see our beautiful flag rise on a flag pole.
I know I will shed at least a couple of tears when I hear our beautiful national anthem sung.
I know I will stand up and fight for what I believe is best for our country. Our lives, the lives of our children, their children and generations to come depend on it.

Source

God bless!