nmah3094.xml

nmah3094.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

It was a routine class day and my third graders were hard at work on their assignments. I checked my email from my principal and read her message that the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon had been attacked. I had to read the message 3 or 4 times and still didn't sink in that such an event could be happening. I did not tell the children that day choosing to let their families break this news to them and wanting to protect them at least for a few more hours from this tragedy in our nation. It was difficult to teach the rest of the day. I had a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach all day. I just couldn't believe this had happened. The next day the students and I talked about what had happened.

I am keenly aware of how fragile the thread of life is. I cherish my family, my students, and others in ways I never have before. I am realizing that out of the rubble of pain and tragedy had come a renewed sense of life.

The loss of innocent lives, the workers who responded in so many ways to help, and the response of the world who shared our pain.

Yes, it has made me revisit this flag that I have grown up with but have taken for granted. When I stand with my students each morning, I look at it carefully. I recall September 11th and other major events in our nation's history that have brought us all to where we are now. I am mindful when I look at it that there are others who are not so fortunate and I am mindful that this nation has a responsibility to help them and to hear their cries.