Remembering 9/11

It is crazy to me that this tragic day was 10 years ago today. In some ways, it seems like just yesterday.

I was 23 years old and living on my own at the time, in an apartment with my best friend Sarah. I was getting ready for work one Tuesday morning when my phone rang. It was my mom, who told me I'd better turn on the TV. She said something along the lines of our nation being under attack & I didn't really think it was probably as serious as she was saying. (I thought she was probably being a little dramatic, to tell you the truth!) But i turned on the TV & just stared at it in disbelief. Watched them replay it over & over.

I drove to my nanny job in a daze. Brooke, the mom of the kids that I nannied, was home all day & we just watched TV in shock & horror. I remember us going through the motions of feeding the kids, putting them down for naps, setting out some toys - but other than that, we just stared at the television. Stunned. Crying.

That is all that I remember about that day. 

I also remember in the days that followed... how there were prayer meetings in every church & people were hanging flags up all over our city. It was a beautiful sight, seeing red white & blue everywhere you looked.

I will never forget reading stories in the weeks that followed of all the heroes & all the personal tragedies. Of people who should have been on a plane or at work in a tower, but weren't. And of last minute phone calls & heroic acts. I cry today reading those same stories. 

I am praying for those families who lost loved ones that day & for all of our young men & women who are still fighting for our country. And for their families. So much sacrifice still being made after that day, ten years ago.

 I remember this picture from 9/11. It always makes me cry. I noticed when saving it that it was being saved as "tired firefighter". I think he is far more than just tired. I think this picture speaks of absolute exhaustion & grief. Completely overwhelmed.

NEVER FORGET. 09.11.2001

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