story2833.xml

story2833.xml

born-digital

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2002-09-11

My co-worker, Andrea, arrive at work at approximately 7:50 a.m. (CDT) with the news that an airplane had crashed into one of the WTC Towers. We immediately went to our lunch room where we were joined by the rest of our co-workers and watched in horror and disbelief at the scene that was unfolding right before our very eyes. Being a very emotional person, I had to leave due to the many emotions that were traveling through my veins. When I learned of the second impact, I almost fell apart. How could anyone be so heartless as to do something like this? It took a while for me to regain my composure and then the third strike! What was going on in this wonderful country of ours? The scenes that were being televised were unbelievable. During the entire day tears welled up in my eyes and I would cry uncontrollably. At home that evening my family and I were afraid to turn off the television for fear we would miss the latest update, but watching it non-stop was becoming more upsetting. It was like living a bad dream. I had no idea what those directly involved in these strikes were feeling. The tragedy was too great to comprehend and one that I pray each day no one in the United States of America will ever have to go through again.

All of this taught me a great lesson. In February of this year I was diagnosed with LCIS, a non-invasive form of breast cancer, but still a cancer. My first thought was for our children and grandchildren, and then the disbelief that this was happening to me. But when I brought myself back to reality, I realized that I was alive and could beat my diagnosis. After my six weeks of (5 days every week) radiation, I celebrated life for the very first time.

Through everything that has happened in the last year, I have come to realize that having the cleanest car on the parking lot at work, the trendiest clothes or hair style, the cleanest house or the best looking yard on the block is not that important to me any longer. If people think these things are what make them truly happy, then I pity them. Look around at your family and friends. What would you do if in the blink of an eye just one of them was snatched from you and you would never see them again? This can happen, September 11, 2001 proved this to us. Hug your children, no matter what age they are, and tell them repeatedly how much you love them and spend some time with them just talking and getting to know each other. This means no TV, no DVD/VCR and no computer/video games of any kind. Sit and talk with your spouse and let them know how important they are to you and how much you love them. Visit your parents, brothers, sisters, etc. as much as you can. You never know when it will be your last chance.

About 25 years ago in Sunday School I had a teacher who use to leave us with the following thought quite often -
'Things don't just happen, they're planned. They're planned by God's almighty hand.' Maybe September 11, 2001 was God's way of getting us all back on the right track and teaching us to appreciate what is really important in life. The price that was paid for this lesson is far greater than anything I would have ever wanted to happen. But each of the individuals that gave their lives so we may live are my heroes.

God Bless America!

Lynda Perkins