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September 11, 2001 - 25 Years Later...
Labor Day had passed. Summer was winding down. It began like an ordinary September morning... until suddenly, it wasn’t.
I still remember hearing the terrifying news that a plane had hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Was this an accident, I wondered.
I remember staring at the television, watching the smoke billowing from the tall building, my eyes filling with tears as I innocently thought, How will they ever get all of those people out? I was young and naive, I suppose, to think it possible.
When the second plane hit, we knew this was something far beyond what any of us had first imagined.
Everything seemed to stop around the world. People left work, school, and appointments. So many simply wanted to get home - to be with the people they loved.
My family gathered together in our den around the television, and we held each other. Even though we had other TVs throughout our home, no one wanted to be in another room that day. We wanted to be together. We wanted to stay close.
And we prayed together... as the unimaginable unfolded before us.
We called loved ones just to hear their voices and make sure they were okay. Not everyone had cell phones then, so reaching people wasn’t as easy as it is today.
I remember looking toward the sky and wondering where another plane might be headed. There were so many unknowns and so much fear.
We watched on TV - as brave firemen, police officers, and EMTs ran toward the danger in New York, while dazed office workers escaped with frightful looks of confusion on their faces.
Then came the news of the plane hitting the Pentagon. Rumors spread that the Capitol or the White House would be next. Federal buildings were then ordered to be evacuated.
Then Flight 93 crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. At the time, we didn’t know it would be the last plane. We still feared there could be more. In the days that followed, we would learn about the incredible courage and sacrifice of the heroes aboard that flight.
For days, and then weeks, the news seemed to stay on constantly. It was a heartbreaking, heavy time.
But amid all that darkness, I also remember something beautiful.
America came together. We were united.
American flags seemed to be flying everywhere. There was a renewed love for our country and a reminder of just how precious life, family, faith, and freedom truly are.
All these years later, I still vividly remember the fear and heartbreak of that September day. But I also remember the prayers, the heroes, and the way we all held one another a little tighter.
Today, I pray for the families who still carry the loss of September 11th. I pray we never forget the innocent lives taken, the heroes who sacrificed so much, and the countless lives forever changed.
And I continually pray that God will bring us peace and unity once again!
If you have thoughts you'd like to share about September 11th, please feel free to share in comments below.
Holding all of you dear friends close,
Net
