9/11…. the day the United States of America stood still. The citizens of the USA cried, we were glued to the news with shock and disbelief.
9/11 for me was unlike any other day in my life. I got up, was getting ready for work and turned on the television only to see an airplane flying into the World Trade Center. I remember being shocked… not being able to comprehend what I was seeing… that this could even be happening. And then the tears started rolling down my face as panic set in. This was the United States of America. We were a country of freedom, liberty, a land that was protected (or so we thought) from terrorist attacks.
I went to work that day unable to work. I remember walking out to the parking lot in front of my work and gathering with strangers… crying together, hugging each other. I remember holding my daughters that night as fear gripped us. Fear of what was happening. Would it happen again? Does this mean we are at war?
We rallied together, supported one another, supported our troops. We came together.
And then we got back on with our lives… except for the people who lost their loved ones and the ones who witnessed first-hand the atrocity of it all.
Why is it that in times of extreme shock and hardships we can set aside our differences, come together, connect, love, and support people who we don’t know or are at odds with? Yet in times of peace we tear each other down?
Today, as I wake up to 9/11… I remember. I hurt again for the people who lost their loved ones. I pray for protection over our country. And I pray that we come together again as a country, despite our differences and seek a common ground. That we empathize and really look to understand what other people are feeling, going through, and support one another. To hug our loved ones, to look at a stranger in the eye, to connect. To pause.
Today I remember… I remember the men and women who lost their lives, who gave their lives, who saved lives. And I pray that our country pauses… that we unite, set aside our differences, stop making people wrong or right, and figure out how to live together and make our world a better place. There are people hurting. Destruction is all around. Fear is all around. What would happen IF we came together like we did on 9/11?
United we stand.
Divided we fall.
Today, I seek to understand and connect.
To bridge the gap.
To love.
I. Stand. For. Justice. Equality. Life. Freedom. Hope. Peace.
I will never forget…
Mary Belden-McGrath
3 Comments. Leave new
Thank you! For me, it was and always will be very surreal. At the time of the attack, I was in a hospital bed in labor. When people comment that suck a moment would be horrible as a birthday, I find that it was a must perfect time to bring me life and new hope into the world.
The blend of both shock and anger at the attack with joy and love of the new life in my arms made me stand even taller for the lives lost and more proud that out country would choose to stand together. Today’s anniversary causes me to pause and pray that we can join together again, setting aside or differences to remember the greater good that is our country.
For me, I was at South Suburban College in Illinois, come outta class to see what looked like on tv a movie w/ special effects. Then hear the news clarify this is real. Adrenaline rushed throughout my body, heart racing, thoughts racing I cried. My heart was broken to see the devastating results of terrorism and lives lost. I starting praying to GOD, LORD help us All Please, my mind can’t comprehend, so I look to YOU.
I meant , My heart was broken .