I debated about posting today. It seems insensitive to be blabbing about my mundane week and problems on a day like today. As I watched the memorial service this morning, I felt the same inability to grasp what had happened as I did ten years ago. I've never been to New York City. The tallest building I've seen is the Sears Tower, and I've never been in it. I simply can't fathom how big the Towers were or the power it took to bring them down. Despite watching the horrible videos several times, I still can't fathom what it was like to be near Ground Zero on that day. I can't imagine the sound, the smell, or the sheer terror everyone involved must have felt. I can't grasp the bravery of the firefighters, police, and port authority as they struggled to save lives without worrying about their own. Most of all, I cannot picture what it must have been like to be trapped in one of those buildings, racing down crowded stairwells full of smoke and wondering if you would make it out alive. And I certainly can't understand what it was like for the passengers on the plane as the hijackers took over and made their final descents.
All I can do is empathize with the grieving families and pray for their continued recovery. I felt so sorry for those family members today as they ready off the names of the victims, especially the kids who never really got to know their parents. And yet I felt pride, too. Pride that these people had the strength to pick themselves up and move forward with their lives. I'm not sure I could have done it. God Bless each of them, and God Bless America.
If you do nothing else today, take a moment to reflect on your life and be thankful for all the positives. Remember that it can all be taken away in an instant. No matter how easy it is, don't sweat the small stuff. Embrace life and move forward as those left behind on 9/11/01 have done.
Row80 update:
Initial goals met.
Working on some edits for Light and Dark
Query Letter revised
I hope you all have a wonderful week and are doing well with your goals.
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6 comments:
I remember I was teaching 8th grade when it happened. I knew people living in the city and I was devastated. I cried in front of my students. I just couldn't help it. It's also my parents' anniversary. I remember how scared they were--more for me than anything else. They didn't want me to have to witness another war in my lifetime.
You're absolutely right about this tragic event being able to teach us something.
Man, Kelly. That's so sad. I was fortunate not to have been directly affected. Would have been really hard to be in front of kids that age and have to explain what was going on.
Thanks for commenting.
I'm glad you posted this Stacy as your voice and words resonate and give so much. I also watched the reading of the names this morning and felt both heart wrenching sorrow for the families and for the final moments of terror the victims faced. I also felt the pride you mentioned for how we all, regardless of where we were, helped each other make it through that day. Again, thanks for this post.
Thank you Stacy. This is honest and true. I think it is a beautiful post.
Good words. That was such a shocking, unreal day. I was 28 and in my last semester of college. Most of the professors cancelled classes, but my anthropology teacher did not. Several students walked out of class. I wondered at the time if they were really that upset over the tragedy or if they were angry that they didn't get a sanctioned free day. The feelings I remember that day most were shock and disbelief. I didn't really care if we had classes or not.
Barbara
Thank you very much. It was a hard thing to watch, but I'm glad I did it. You're very welcome, and thanks for commenting.
Annie
Thank you. I just wanted to put what I was feeling in writing. So glad it resonated with you.
Catie
Thanks. Shocking and unreal is absolutely true. I think I was numb. Mom and I were supposed to shop for flowers but all we did was sit in a cafe and watch the horror.
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