Rocking, Praying, and Watching

Today.......I am remembering......................................

I remember that morning as clear as day.  I was sitting in the rocking chair feeding our 6 week old and watching our 1 year old play.  My husband and brother-in-law were installing a patio door onto our house.  So, it was chaotic, but I was watching FOX News and heard them say a plane had hit the World Trade Center.  I remember telling the guys to come in and look and then watching the coverage.  Then watching, live, as the 2nd plane crashed.  I remember holding both of my boys close and wondering what was going on.  I remember being scared for several family members who worked in the Pentagon at the time as we learned about it being hit.  I remember rocking and praying and holding our 2 boys.  It was a very emotional day.  As new parents it was scary wondering how we could protect our children if something happened here.  I remember thinking of all the parents who were trapped on planes and in buildings and wouldn't come home to their children that night or ever.  Since then, my husband and I have traveled to NYC and visited Ground Zero twice and in the summer of 2010 we took our family to Shanksville, PA to visit that site.  It is something that will always be tied to our generation and our children's generation and I want them to know what happened and the heroes that were part of that day and the days after 9/11.

I saw a clip on Good Morning America Saturday morning that featured what was going on in the world on September 10, 2001.  The world before 9/11 and the world after 9/11 is a much different world.  All the families that spent Monday going about life as normal and then their world came crashing down the next day.  All that we took for granted before 9/11.  All the security measures in place since 9/11.  All the families that were forever changed after 9/11 and ache for 1 more moment, phone call, kiss, or hug from their loved one. All those people who survived the attack and wonder why they did and their friend didn't.  Those who missed a flight, didn't go to work that day, or who were in a meeting across town and are forever wondering, why were they saved?  All the firefighters, police and first responders who saw things no one should ever have to see and forever live with those images.  Today I am praying for them.  

My heart aches for anyone who life was forever changed by the terrorist acts committed on our country.  I have to believe our government is being vigilant and working hard to protect us from further harm, knowing that there is no 100% full-proof protection.  The best way to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11 is to not take one day with your family for granted, love the ones your with, and don't sweat the small stuff.  That's what I intend to do.