Where Were You?

this weekend we celebrate the 10th anniversary of 9/11 - I can not believe it has been 10 years already. It is one of those moments that you know exactly where you were and what you were doing. 10 years ago I was in my 1st full week of a new job. I had just switched companies because my old boss had just purchased a company and I followed him to the new company and I remember just having that feeling of being the new person and not really knowing anyone yet. At the time, the company I was working for didn't even have email, I know how ancient, all I had was as phone and a small TV in the breakroom. The office was up off of Dana Avenue which on that day seemed million miles away from the people I loved the most. I just wanted to go home and hug mom and dad and Steve, I just wanted to feel safe.

 I was sitting at my desk, when I heard and all I wanted to do was watch TV - and we did, a little bit. I remember my boss coming out giving me updates via his wife, because she was home watching it all on TV. And everytime an update was given, I just felt sicker and sicker to my stomach about what this world was coming to.

 Sitting in that office not knowing anyone but one person, all I felt was scared and alone and I wanted to get home as soon as possible. Steve and I had not even been married a year and I called him but my first phone call was to my mom and dad. I just needed to hear their voice and know that everything was going to be okay. Even at 28 years old, I still needed the comfort of mom and dad reassuring me everything was going to be okay.

When I finally did get home, I ran to the TV and was glued, I was glued from the moment I got home until the moment I went to bed - which I didn't get to bed until wee hours in the morning. I was just so astounded at the pictures and the people, all my goodness, all the people. I just could not imagine in a million years what those people were thinking and feeling, what the families were feeling when their fathers or mothers were calling to say goodbye. For many days afterwards Steve would keep telling me to turn the TV off but I just couldn't... It was one of those moments.

I cried, I cried that day and for many days afterwards, I still cry in watching the footage of it. What a sad time for our country, for those families, for our families, for our children. I also cried in learning that Becky's husband Andy, had lost his brother in the attacks. This family had already been through a loss and now here they were losing another sibling, son - and knowing someone local had died, it just breaks your heart. My love and prayers go out to the Williams family this week as they endure the anniversary of the attacks. May God give you the strength and the love to get through it and to remember the good times with both Kenny and Brian.

9/11 - changed our world, change our cities, changed our lives. Each individual knows exactly where they were at, who they were with, knows exactly how they were feeling, knows exactly every moment of the day that time stood still.

~~~~~
Alan Jackson had written a song after 9/11 that pretty much sums up this long post. Below are the words to it - 9/11 for many of us is a day we will always know where we were! God bless you and your families this weekend and let us Never Forget!


Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or working on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Risin' 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
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and 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 on that September day?
Were you teaching a class full of innocent children
Or 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 loved her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?
Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Or speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Or go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
Did you 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?
And the greatest is love.
And the greatest is love.

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,