Skip to main content

Where were you when the world stopped turning?

Dear Readers,

I was at home, getting ready for another day in my fourth grade class. It's September 11th and the day has been on my mind all week. My title for this entry, as is common, comes from a song sung by Alan Jackson. Unfortunately, no song can come close to describing where each one of us one that September morning when the World Trade Center, The Pentagon and countless lives were damaged or destroyed.

I was just shy of being 10 years old and I was scared when my grandmother called our house and asked to talk to my mom. She told me to turn on the television before handing the phone to mom. The news networks, all in a frenzy, were showing images of two buildings, side by side, that were smoking. Later I heard that they had collapsed.

Where I was is of no significance. Where all of those people who gave their lives were, that's what matters. The firefighters climbing the stairs that would crumble beneath them, the passengers in those planes that never reached their destination and all those doing another day's work in New York; their location is what matters. I don't personally know anyone who died that day. Friends of mine do. Some had great friends who died the aircraft, others on the ground. Those friends will never forget, and neither will I.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Am I Proud to Be an American?

This weekend is the 4th of July, or Independence Day in the United States of America. One of my favorite songs during this time of celebrating the country is "God Bless the USA." The words paint a detailed picture of the beauty of the United States, both in a physical and emotional aspect. Our country is often depicted in a majestic manner such as this, making it seem like the greatest in the world and we often hear those bold words, "I'm proud to be an American."  With all of the issues that have been cropping up over the past couple of years such as impeachment, systemic racism, foreign intervention, and most significantly the COVID-19 pandemic, I have reflected deeply about what we celebrate with the 4th of July. These issues are just a few of the many that have made me wonder about the country we praise so proudly.  Am I really proud to be an American?  Thomas Jefferson wrote the candid words of the Declaration of Independence, which were th...

You make me dance like a fool, forget how to breath, shine like gold...

Dear Readers, Ok, so I can't fit the entire title into the title box. It's a good song, go look it up: "You make me smile." The title can apply to anyone, I've found. The rest of the lyrics would probably refer to a best friend or a significant other, but anyone can make you smile. They all have the own way of doing it. Some are just funny all the time and you can't help smiling when you're around that person. I know some who take care of people so well that you just smile when they're doing something for another. Others you can talk to about your problems and no matter what they say, it seems to make sense and you feel better...thus a smile. Ok, a smile doesn't always come in that case, but people usually smile after that. Anyone can have a blonde moment and make everyone smile because of it. I'm glad I've got friends who can do all of these: have blonde moments, take care of others or have an episode of hyperactivity that you can't he...

I've Been Watching You

Dear Reader, Our little boy has not even arrived yet and I am already feeling the pressure to a good example. All growing up, I was always told to never do anything that I wouldn't want my children to know about/do themselves. "Always be on your best behavior, your children will watch you." I will be honest, I have always agreed with that idea and I think it is a good way to live your life. However, I didn't feel the weight of that responsibility until my wife got pregnant. I feel like I am getting more and more pressure from myself to be a perfect example, even though this little boy hasn't even met me yet. That's why I am relating so much with this song right now. I know, this isn't too deep. I just wanted to share the song more than anything.