story355.xml

story355.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-04-04

I was getting ready for the innaguration of our 14th
President here at Hardin Simmons University, on the
morning of September 11th. I had just gotten out of the
shower, and was listening to my radio, because I did not
have a television. My friend from down the hall called me
to tell me that she was watching THe Today Show, and that the
World Trade Center was on fire, but no one knew why. I was
really suprised and very curious about what was going on.
I had been to New York City that past summer with my mother
and grandmother, and we had gone to the top of the tower.
I quickly called my parents. THey were both still at home
in Canyon, Texas. They both are usually gone by eight, and I
was shocked that they were still home. THey told me they
were just blown away and didn't know what to think. I was
still unsure of what was happening. THey told me how a plane
had hit one tower, and how they saw the second plane hit
the second tower. They let me go, and then I just continued
to get ready for the ceremony. The radio station I was
listening to began news coverage of the events, so I had a
way to hear more. I heard that something terrible was
beginning to happen, so I ran to my friends room to see it
on the tv. The first building was emploding. We shreiked,
and cried, but still we had no way to grasp what was
occuring. By that time we were almost late for the ceremony,
and quickly left. As we came upon the chapel, where the
innaguration was being held, I began to hear everyone
discussing the news of NYC. I would try to grab any new bits
or pieces to tell to others. I was so frustrated that I was
having to be at this, when there was something huge going on
in New York. I look back on it now, and I was so mad at the
school for continuing the ceremony in the midst of the
crisis. But at the time, I had no clue of the hugeness of
what was really going on. At the time I did not even know
who had done this. I had heard somethign about terrorist,
but I did not understand the big picture. I remember being
so scared. It was the first semester of my second semester
in college. I was close to five hours away from my parents,
and I was in a town with an air force base, which I just
knew was goign to be attacked at any minute. As the day
went on I learned more and more details of the deepness of
the tragedy that had just occured. I heard story after
story from people that knew someone, or knew someone that
knew someone that either lived in New York City or even
worse was supposed to be at the Towers that day. After
lunch I made my way back to my dorm by myself. When I walked
in, I saw both TVs turned on with news coverage of NYC. A
lot of people had begun to gather to watch. Suddenly we all
got in a large circle and began praying for our nation. At
that moment we alljust lifted our fears and confusion to our
Heavenly Father. I tried my hardest to not question Him or
feel angry with God for allowing this to happen. I was
continually reminded of how He does have everything under
His control and that He will get us through this as He does
with everything else.
On September 11th, my eyes were opened to the evil that
exist in the world. I have never felt fear like I did that
day. THe days following, I had my eyes opened and prepared
for the worst. I reached a new level of trust in my good
Lord in the weeks to follow. I am thankful that He calls me
His and that I have His word and love everyday. Without
that I do not know where I would be today.