Remembering 9/11/01

Where were you when the world stopped turning?

On September 11th, 2001 I woke up in a horrible mood. Why? Because I had just ended a relationship with a horrible boyfriend who was verbally abusive and extremely controlling. While I should have felt great relief in this, I was actually terrified because he had also threatened to kill himself and me. Not a great thing for a senior in high school to deal with.

So that morning as I came up the stairs in a really crumby mood to head out the door to school I remember my Mom saying 'you have to see this' and pointing to the TV. I remember looking at it and thinking why do I care what is going on across the country. I remember saying "I don't care" to her and walking out the door. Boy would those words come back to haunt me. When I got to school the gravity of what was actually happening to our country was really hitting.

All of a sudden it didn't matter to me what I had gone through the last few months or the night before. It did feel like the world stopped turning on 9/11/2001.

I remember clearly watching the TV all day long. Being glued to the happenings in New York , DC and Pennsylvania. I remember crying. I remember suddenly being so worried when I remembered that one of our very close family friends now lived in PA and who's father in law was working in New York. I remember being scared, really scared because of the unknown-ness of what was to come.

If anything good came from those days following the attacks it was wanting to be that much closer and in touch with our family, friends and our country. About a week after the attack I road on the Chewelah float as one of the princesses in Odessa, Washington. It was a wonderful parade but a somber one as well. I have never been to the parade there before or since so I don't know if this is normal but there were so many boy scouts, veterans and other service men and women being honored throughout the parade. There were also so many flags and flag pins to show support for those affected by 9/11 and also to raise money to send to the many fundraisers going on throughout our country. Even us princesses waved flags throughout the entire parade instead of our hands. It felt good to pay respect to our country in a public way.

About a month after the attacks I was at a snowmobile race and someone announced over the loud speakers that we had launched our attack on terrorists. I remember hearing cheers and applause and then I remember thinking... what does that really mean though. It's not like we can do that without risking the lives of our people once again. I also remember people leaving the races because they were afraid there might be immediate retaliation.

The summer following the attacks we went to New York for a family wedding. We got to see Ground Zero in person and I remember thinking how huge it was and trying to imagine what it must have looked like before.

One of the eeriest and probably deepest felt thing we did on that trip was ride the Staten Island Ferry. One of our friends had told us that when we were halfway across to turn back and look at the New York sky line. She said in that moment try to picture what those towers must have looked like before. Then to be sitting on the ferry and think of what it would have been like to be standing in that very spot and watch a plane fly into the tower because someone was standing in that very spot on 9/11 and someone actually watched it happen. I remember the lump in my throat thinking of whomever had been in my spot just a few months prior. I also remember saying a prayer for those affected by 9/11.

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? [Chorus:] 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? [Repeat Chorus 2x] And the greatest is love. And the greatest is love.

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