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2006-09-11

I have been trying to think of a way to pay my own Tribute to those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.



I thought of all these ideas & then thought, maybe the best way to pay Tribute is to tell of my own feelings of what I witnessed unfold, along w/ the rest of the world, that in approximately 2 hours, the world as we know it, would be forever changed.....

At approximately 8:50 that morning I was cleaning my house. I'd recieved a call from my daughter-in-law asking me if I had the News on. I said "no" & as I turned on the television, she began telling me that a plane (Flight 11) has just crashed into the World Trade Center. As she was talking, I was looking at the screen in dis-belief. Black smoke rolling..... I was in complete shock. I remember saying something like "Oh my God; what happened?" I was trying to listen to her & the News at the same time. I watched in horror as I realized the all people inside the Tower that had been killed instantly. My mind was racing....I was standing there crying & thinking of those people on the floors above where the plane hit. I knew they couldn't get out either. I remember Praying while listening to the News. My daughter-in-law had stopped talking & we were both in tears & in shock.

I couldn't take my eyes off the television. So many things were going through my mind. I'd been to those Towers years ago when I lived in New York. I knew Thousands of people worked there. I was Praying they would get out alive. Still wondering/worrying what could've caused the crash.

As I stared at the television in horror..... 9:05 a.m., the 2nd plane hit (Flight 178). I said to my daugter-in-law, "We're Under Attack". All the confusion in my mind had just become clear. More tears, more Prayer, more sorrow.....

I was glued to the television. Tears, Prayer....All those lives. Reports were coming in....Terrorists...9:45 (Flight 77) hits the Pentagon. It seemed as though the world was coming to an end. Smoke...People everywhere running in the streets. Screaming, crying.....Reports of people jumping from the buildings....Police Officers....Firemen, all called to the scene.....

9:55 to 10....The 1st. Tower falls....Complete Chaos....."Oh My God Have Mercy"......The Pentagon fell shortly after the 1st. Tower.....Then a report of another plane crash in Pittsburgh.....10:28 The 2nd Tower collapsed....People were covered in dust.....Running...People couldn't breathe...Sometime during the mist of all of this, my daughter-in-law & I had hung up....I can't remember if I talked to anyone else. I can only remember those faces of the people who were there.....watching, dying...people running away...Firefighters & Police running towards....Mayor Giuliani....so many things happening at once.....

I remember throughout the day just watching & feeling so helpless....I just kept Praying....I cried so much ( And still do).....I thought of my family...friends...Were we safe? I remember such an ache inside.....such a feeling of loss.....

It happened on a Tuesday. Tuesday was the night of our Women's Bible Study Group......There was a mention of us canceling it sometime that day I remember but, it was immediately forgotten because we felt; what better place to be than at our Church....My son came over w/ his family....I remember my son in almost a panic.....I remember thoughts of not wanting to scare my grandchildren......

My son was kind of surprised that I was still going to Bible study....I do not claim to know the Bible well (hence my studying) BUT, As my son & I talked, I went to my Bible ( I had no idea what I was looking for...absolute truth!)...I opened my King James Bible to Revelations....I began to read. As I read through it's passages, these seemed to me, exactly what I had witnessed that day......The Bible speaks of the Great City of Babylon that has fallen.....



REV 18:8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

REV 18:9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

REV 18:10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

REV 18:11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:

REV 18:12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,

REV 18:13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.

REV 18:14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.

REV 18:15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,

REV 18:16 And saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

REV 18:17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

REV 18:18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

REV 18:19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.


(I feel I must make it clear that I, in no way am saying that we are living in Revelations. Many do believe we are but, that is not for me to know. I urge anyone who reads this to read their own Bibles & come to their own conclusions (if any). This is just what happened to me that day. I'm not telling you what to believe etc.)

After reading this, my family found some sort of Peace. This is the only way I know how to explain it. I was more eager to get to Church. I truly felt my little Chuuch would have standing room only. I wanted to be there if I was needed etc. I really expected Prayer vigils. People looking for answers, as we all were. I expected people looking for some kind of comfort to help ease their hearts. Even if there was someone who needed a hug...anything.....

Well, when I arrived at Church......the only people there were the 7 ladies (including myself) who were the regulars of our Women's Tuesday Night Bible Study Group....I was surprised but, not discouraged. Myself & those 6 other ladies had one of the best classes we have ever had & even bonded closer. It seemed the entire day was spent in Prayer.

I will never forget this day as long as I live. I will make sure my grandchildren & their children etc. will know that on September 11, 2001 this Nation became One & The World Shared Heart Break As One....

If anyone wants to share their stories...I'd love to read them. Please feel free to share your story......



Blessings, Susan Galbreath
Mayfield, Kentucky