The Day the Towers Fell
My remembrance of the day that shook our nation pales to what so many are experiencing on this 7th anniversary of 9/11.
I was in a local service station pumping gas when the owner, a dear family friend, came out to the pump and said, “Lisa, get in here. You have to see what is happening.”
At that point, only the first tower had been hit. I thought it was an accident. A horrific event, but unintentional. A plane malfunction that had the misfortune of taking place over a large city.
As we watched the smoke in horror, the newscaster went berserk informing us that the second tower had just been hit by another plane. Y’all, I still didn’t get it. Until the newscaster used the word terrorism, the thought never even crossed my mind that people in the world existed to do us harm and that our government had not been able to protect us from it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not government bashing. I’m simply saying we are equipped with the finest military in the world, we have capabilities of launching a nuclear attack that could disintegrate entire cities, but we couldn’t see these few cowards coming.
I hugged our friend, got in the car, and cried my eyes out.
I went on to Chattanooga because I was already on my way to Sam’s. Sam’s is next to an airport and I don’t think I fully realized the national effect this event would have until plane after plane after plane was grounded. The sound of the engines roaring rocked the ground and the sheer number of the huge jets making emergency landings felt apocalyptic. That’s when I truly got scared. My dad was in Chicago so I was afraid for him and yet had no way to reach him. And I’ll never, ever forget the scene of that parking lot full of people at a total stand still looking up at the sky with hearts and faces numb as to what was taking place.
I cried all the way through Sam’s. I might have felt foolish had I been the only one.
I don’t know if anyone from New York, or Washington DC, or Pennsylvania reads this blog. I don’t know how many of you have been directly affected by the tragedy that day. If you are out there, please know I still grieve for you. I ask God to give you comfort only He can. I continue to pray He has brought a measure of beauty from ashes.
I remember you.
Thank you. I live in Chicago but am from NYC. My mom still lives there, in a home where the windows had to be kept shut for weeks after 9/11 to keep out the smell of smoke and death. My uncle was at his office down the street from the Towers and my stepdad was working in the neighborhood of them when they were struck. Thankfully none of my family or friends were killed that day, but the impact remains like an open wound. I greatly appreciate your post today, as I remember and grieve and feel a little like everyone else has moved on.
I also remember…and will never forget.
I too remember where I was, what I was doing and feeling numb, confused and in total disbelief as to what I was watching. We too had family members in our around the towers thankfully they were all able to get out and to safety but they are still very much effected by the tragic events that day.
I remember having the tv on while I was on the computer in my room, and when the story came on about the first tower, my first thought was that it was on purpose. I remember hoping that it was some tragic accident, but believing deep down that it wasn’t. Then I watched and yelled at the tv while I saw that second plane head straight for the second tower. I actually watched it happen and it was so surreal.
It’s amazing to me both how much life has changed because of that, and how much it hasn’t…
I wont forget. I grieve for those who lost loved ones. I too pray God’s healing touch and His comfort. I pray our nation be united as one under God.
Engrafted by His Grace-
I know what you mean about believing in the capabilities of our government and military to intercept those kind of things. I felt the same way. Since then I’ve come to realize that as good as those things might be, and even though I live in the safest and most powerful country in the world, my only real security is in God alone. I cannot forget that.
I am also remembering today and praying for those who lost loved ones that terrible day!
Blessings
Michelle
Wonderful post, Lisa! I didn’t know anyone personally affected, either. Good reminder to keep praying for the families that were directly affected by it!
I remember too, I don’t think any American who is old enough to remember that day could ever forget that day…..
Well said!! My heart grieves for the families today and I prayed for them this morning.
Love You,
Patty
Excellent words.
May we never forget.
Amen.
Seven years ago, I sat on my couch and held my six-week-old daughter and wondered what kind of world I had brought her into.
And then I remembered — a world where God is still in control.
My heart is tender today toward those who lost so much.
me too Lisa…. I am still, today, devistated.. Thank you for remembering today. Hugs~
Like Kelly, I wondered what kind of world I had brought my nine-week-old into.
I didn’t know anyone who died in the WTC or Pentagon, but I had friends in NY who were frantically searching for parents, siblings or spouses. They were all found by the next day, but I can’t imagine how terrifing those hours must have been – even worse for those who never got to hold their loved ones again.
I also had some friends who worked in the Pentagon (we had a lot of military, DoD and NSA types in our church). They all told about how desperately they wanted to go back in and help, even though the firefighters pushed them back.
Lisa
I felt the same way – it was so surreal!
We continue to lift all of those up that were affected by this horrible incident
Love ya my friend,
Kim
I remember too!!
Lisa, reading your words brings back all the feelings I felt that day and still do feel! We all changed forever that day! Tears still come and goosebumps of memories come too! Praying for all the families directly effected!
It was a defining moment for us as a country, and as people… one we’ll always remember.
The Lord used the fear that day produced to do a good thing in my life. I blogged about it at
smellingcoffeetoday.blogspot.com
Praying for all who remember…
Amen!
I will never for get that .
praying for all of you, marina
September 11, 2001 is a day that will be forever etched in the memories of all who suffered loss in this tragedy. They are in my prayers.
WE lived in AZ then, and I remember my husband was on a business trip in Pennsylvania at a company located just about 15 miles from Shanksville. It took him days to get back home, and my heart breaks for those whose loved ones never came home.
I watched the memorial events on TV yesterday, pulled my 11 year old daughter close, and bawled my eyes out all over again.
I remember too….
Thanks for this post Lisa
Love,
Adrienne
Thank you for your wonderful post. I too remember what happened on that day and will never forget. On that day I hugged my children a little tighter, remembered to tell everyone in my family that I loved them.