nmah4731.xml

nmah4731.xml

born-digital

story

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2002-09-12

I was substitute teaching in the fifth grade on the morning of September 11, 2001. The kids were distracted and talking about what they had seen and heard in their other classes...planes flying into the World Trade Center?
It couldn't be true. The children asked to see the coverage on our classroom t.v. I talked to the other fifth grade teachers, and decided that the kids were old enough to watch the coverage of events and discuss it in our classroom too. They were so distracted that I knew for a few hours anyway, they needed to know what was happening, discuss it, and express their feelings, fears, and whatever else they were thinking at the time.
Our school is in a small rural town in the Southeast corner of Kansas. Even so, the kids had many questions regarding the possibility of terrorism reaching us. Another common concern was voiced by those children who had relatives or loved ones in the military and the Guard.
Emotions ranged from disbelief to fear to compassion. I was touched by their heartfelt sympathy for those in the attacks.
There came a point when we were able to focus on our studies for a change. I think being able to talk about what was happening was cathartic and reassuring for the children. I know it was for me.
Later that day, on the way to pick up my own children from daycare, I thought how strange it was to be viewing even my small part of the United States as vulnerable to such evil acts. Could it happen here in our corner of Kansas? Bio-terrorism, germ warfare, utilities attacks, I admit that these thoughts and many more raced through my mind for the next several days.
I asked Jesus to be with those involved in the attacks. I could not imagine the pain or horror...then I said a special and tearful prayer of thanks for my children, my family and friends, my church. The tears would continue to flow, at their will, over the next several months.
Like many people, I could not help but stop and watch and listen to the coverage of that day. How could another human willingly take the lives of so many people, cowardly and shamefully veiled in the name of honor?
September 11, 2001, is a day of horror, pain, fear and confusion, but in another part of my heart it remains a day
of compassion, bravery, and patriotism. I would imagine many of my fellow Americans rode that roller coaster of emotions just as I did. I am sure that many of them, like myself, have focused on the fact that for all the evil present that day, it brought out the good and the Amercian spirit in our citizens, which ultimately, will defeat evil and its perpetrators. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

September 11, 2001, changed me in some surprising ways. I am more outspoken about my beliefs as a born-again Christian, and I find myself more involved in different aspects of my political beliefs.
I have always considered myself a compassionate person, but this past year, I felt led to share that compassion not just through prayer or tithing for special projects at church, but with people I am actually in contact with in my life. I am a single mom of two boys, ages three and five, and a full-time college student. I don't always have a lot of money, but I have faith in God, and when I see a need that I feel God is asking me to meet in someone's life, whether it be food and basic necessities for someone who has just moved, or a card of encouragement and a listening ear for a newly sinlge parent, I do what I can to fulfill that person's needs. Regardelsss of religion or any other factor, all humans need help and support at some time and place in their lives. I have been in that boat many times myself. Sometimes, you can be family for someone that doesn't have their family close by, or may not have a family at all. At other times, people are truly encouraged and bolstered by the fact that
you are earnestly praying for them, not only for particular needs, but for peace and happiness in their lives. Often, I have been guilty of telling someone that praying is "the least" I can do for them, when I ought to be telling them it the first thing, and one of the greatest
things I can do for them.
September 11, 2001, forced me to think of life in ways in which I do not like to think. Life can be short and fleeting. Even when you think you are prepared for "that day" you are not. We are mortal. We make each day as we so choose. What impressions and values will I leave with my children? Will I wake up tomorrow? Will my children, parents, sisters, friends--will they be brought back to me safely tonight? Tomorrow night? The point is this: each morning God has blessed us enough to see, is a blank canvas. How and what we choose to paint on that canvas sets the tone for that day, and the examples we show our children and others. Most days, those "pictures" are routine, unframed, and stacked with a million others just like it. But on those rare occasions, what we paint changes our lives or the lives of those around us. They are moments not forgotten. They are framed, set apart for display, that all may see. Whether they are good or evil, heroic or cowardly, depends upon the painter. We all have "canvas days" like that. Many people on 9/11 painted their last canvas with valor, love, courage, hope. How am I painting my canvas today? How are you painting yours?

WHAT should be remembered is simple: compassion, love, bravery, valor, selflessness in the face of pain, destruction, death and evil.
WHO should be remembered counts as well. The victims in the towers, at the Pentagon, in the three planes should be remembered. The families, friends, and loved ones of those murdered (yes, murdered, not killed) should be remembered. There should also be recogniton of those who continue to risk their lives on a daily basis for us and our country: firemen, police, EMTs, the armed forces, Coast Guard, etc., should all be recognized. They did their (usually) thankless jobs before 9/11, went over and above the call of duty during 9/11 and its aftermath, and continue in those jobs at this very moment.
I have qualms about putting offices and businesses back on that site. I understand it is important economically, and some people argue emotionally, for business to rise again at the WTC site. But if it is all about the bottom line, and the importance of that sacred ground is overlooked, what kind of effect will that have on New Yorkers?
Maybe there is a balance that can be achieved, but it will take a lot of work and dedication. Pesronally, I think the memorial should be more than just a fountain or a
pond or even a pavillion. Each person lost on that site had a unique personality, family, friends, hobbies, accomplishments, -- a LIFE! Why not build a museum that honors each victim in a PERSONAL way? Photos, personal momentos, whatever each person's family would like the world to know about the loved one that was taken from them, could be dispalyed in individual exhibits. With an atrium and a garden and reflection pool, both could be filled with the favorite plants, flowers, and trees, of those lost, maybe even planted by loved ones, if they so chose.
It shouldn't be gaudy, or sterile. It should be a celebration of each life represented within its halls, yet humble in decorum, to honor each of those lives in the most repspectful way.
I'm not a New Yorker, and I did not know anyone lost that awful day, but I am an American, and committed to seeing my fellow Amercians honored for their ultimate sacrifice.

I, shamefully, did not own an Amercian flag. Trying to buy one after 9/11 was a challenge...they couldn't keep them in stock! Luckily, an area newspaper placed printed paper flags in an edition of the paper.
The flag is part of our nation's history. It SHOULD be
honored. I think the best way to do that is to 1.) display the American flag; and 2.) SAY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE EACH AND EVERY DAY GOD GRANTS US ON THIS EARTH.
That should be followed with PRAYER. If the courts in this land are too wimpy to stand up and allow it in schools, then PRACTICE IT AT HOME! Make sure your kids know how and why these things matter so much.
Our American flag should be an active part of our lives today. It isn't just an old relic to be dusted off a few times each year. That is an insult to every man, woman, and child who fought and/or died for this country in war, duty, or acts of terrorism (homegrown and foreign).
I'm sickened by photos or videos of malicious predators, claiming religious or political reasons, burning the U.S. flag. Holding the beacon of freedom high has a price, doesn't it? They can burn our flags, and our buidings, but that will NEVER extinguish the fire of freedom. Instead, they will look into our eyes and see the fires of determination, unquenchable hope, and gritty, unstoppable patriotism that defines who we are: AMERICANS!