story5426.xml

story5426.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

My remembrance of 9-11 will forever be a part of my life and how in the midst of these terrorist acts I learned a lesson I will pass to my son,my future children,and hopefully all those I come to know.The day of 9-11 began as so many days prior.My mother was dying of cancer and was bed ridden,her children and friends tending to her needs and doing the best we could to make her passing a peaceful time.I stayed with my mother the night before 9-11 and then started work at 8:00 am.I couldn't believe the news I had heard about the cowardly act of terrorism on innocent people.Like so many people that day I tried to put it into my own perspective to better understand,but all I could reason was:We,as Americans need to stand up and fight and this time not back off,but continue to fight to stop this reign of terrorism,so my son can live in this country without fear.Shortly after the attack,I received news that my mother was not doing well and her passing would most likely be soon.I left work to be by Mom's side as The Lord prepared to reunite my parents(my father had passed a year ago). The rest of that day we watched T.V. in my Mom's apartment discussing the events and tending to our mother. It was now the 12th of September and the events of 9-11 became even more of a reality and we mourned the death of so many.My mother had grown up in New York City and was very proud of that great heritage.It was this day that I learned that valuable lesson I spoke about at the beginning. My mother lay dying and barely able to speak,spoke a single phrase that will forever be embedded into my heart.Those words are as follows;"How sad, I lie here dying and they are destroying my city." My mother moved from New York after she wed my father- 50 years ago!
On the 13th,The Lord took my mother home, I was by her side.A woman 50 years removed from a city,dying of cancer,and her thoughts were with her fellow Americans.It's a lesson of humanity I will forever embrace and try to live up to. God Bless not only those who passed and the families they left behind,but for all those who survived and risked thier lives to save others.