September 11th

It's hard to believe that we are marking the 5th Anniversary of September 11th. I still remember that day so vividly. I had been married less than a month and in Florida for less than two weeks. Back then my hubby didn't have cable TV and only dialup Internet access. So, once online, I had no phone service.

I got online after my hubby left for work. That is when a friend of my told me that two planes had crashed into the World Trade Center. I misunderstood at first. I thought that two planes had collided above the World Trade Center. I was wrong. I turned on the radio and then when I couldn't take the lack of pictures anymore, I ran to Kmart to get bunny ears. I got there about the time the first tower collapsed. I stayed there for awhile watching their TVs and then headed home. I could now watch one channel and it wasn't great. However, it was better than nothing. I was glued to the TV for the rest of the day.

My hubby, for some odd reason, tried to get me to go with his best friends' wife to be with his friends' mother who was hysterical. I did not want to go be with a hysterical person. I actually did really well dealing with it until my sweetie and I had gone to bed for the evening. That is when I cried my heart out.

We did go over to his friends' house after work, so we could see the cable news. I was glad for the chance, even if I was driven a little nuts. They are pretty liberal, so some of their ideas were off the wall.

I remember the smoke and the people running. I remember the people they showed jumping from the buildings. I remember the day in such vivid detail. It is so odd, because I usually have a horrible memory.

Today, my prayers are with those who lost loved ones on 9/11. What a horrible tragedy for those families. The tragedy of 9/11 has affected everyone in this country who remembers that day. However, it is even a greater tragedy for those families.

Alan Jackson wrote a song about 9/11 and I think the words are perfect for the end of my entry.

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that bible at home
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

The greatest is love
The greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day