nmah5455.xml

nmah5455.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-03-05

September 11th started out as such a "normal" day. Getting up, going to work, taking care of the things I do on a regular work day.

While I was in a triennial audit of the grant work that I do, an intern came in and said, "An airplane just flew into the World Trade Center!" I had worked at Evansville Regional Airport in the past and said, "Oh no! The pilot must have had a heart attack, otherwise how could that have happened?" Of course, it wasn't too long until the second plane hit the other tower and we all looked at each other and said, "We are under attack! This is war." Throughout that sad and frightening day, the horrible details just kept coming as we sat mesmerized by the television.

The thing I remember so distinctly, though, was that our phone began to ring and each person was calling the special people in their lives to say, "Are you okay? Have you heard the terrible news?" My children are both away at college and I heard from them first: "Mom, have you heard?" It accentuated the feeling of separation that I have from them being so far away.

The day after the attacks, I couldn't imagine that I would awaken to a world without some new horror in it. I didn't sleep well for weeks; I couldn't eat much; I cried easily. I was obsessed with everything I could see, read, and experience about the attacks. It was shock and disbelief. I thought that if I could understand it somehow that I could get the feeling of peacefulness that I had in the past.

It did not work.

Time finally healed the feelings of helplessness and terror, but the event reminded me of the prayer, "Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are...." because our days in the United States will never be the same.

I am much more aware of my surroundings in public places. I do not let time go by without telling people how much I care about them. I am acutely aware of how precious our freedom is here in America.

The remarkable way that people calmly helped each other out of the building. The way that America rallied around itself and didn't let this day ruin the good things about this country. The bravery of those who were on the plane that tried to stop the terrorists. The haunting sight of people looking desparately for their loved ones. The strong leadership of President Bush in the wake of such a horrifying event. The strength of the Mayor of New York. The little things that went on among people....helping each other, giving blood, praying, digging through the ruined buildings.

Our strenth and our love for each other and the United States of America and how that was not defeated by any event that occurred on that fateful day.

I considered myself very patriotic before September 11th, but I intensified my efforts after that. I stand for the flag, I recite the Pledge of Allegiance, I sing the National Anthem. I wear a flag pin, have a flag checkbook, put a flag on my car, and fly the flag every day.

It has strengthened my resolve that God intended us to be a free people and no terrorist can stop that freedom!