7 years ago I lived in Virginia. I was less than an hour drive from the Pentagon. Brent was based in NY as an airline pilot which meant he would fly in and out of NY all day when he was working. He happened to be home that day. I remember staring at the T.V. images, trying to grasp the magnitude of what was happening. I remember the relief that Brent was not working that day so I didn't need to wonder where he was or if there was someone on his plane that wanted to hijack it. I felt ashamed of those thoughts considering others had lost loved ones, but the relief was there. I remember crying for those who had lost their mom, dad, spouse etc. I remember family frantically calling to see if Brent was home and safe. I held my 9 month old son close and cried that he had to grow up in a world where such evil existed. We didn't know it then, but Brent's career outlook was never going to be the same.
Today I answered questions from my children about that day 7 years ago. There were so many "whys." I had to fight back tears to explain to them why people couldn't get out of the building in time, why the fire fighters went inside to help, why the fire caused the towers to collapse from the large amount of fuel that was on board. I know this is a tough day for all those that lost family and friends.
Along with the sadness I feel, I am so happy I am able to live in a country that provides the freedoms we enjoy. I'm so happy I have a sweet niece that is so beautiful and that is 2 years old today. She reminds me that there are things to find joy in today. I had a friend send me this poem and it touched my heart so I wanted to share it with all of you.
'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'
You say you will never forget where you were when
you heard the news On September 11, 2001.
Neither will I.
I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room
with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I
held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the
peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it
is OK..I am ready to go.'
I was with his wife when he called as she fed
breakfast to their children. I held her up as she
tried to understand his words and as she realized
he wasn't coming home that night.
I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a
woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been
knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said.
'Of course I will show you the way home - only
believe in Me now.'
I was at the base of the building with the Priest
ministering to the injured and devastated souls.
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He
heard my voice and answered.
I was on all four of those planes, in every seat,
with every prayer. I was with the crew as they
were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the
believers there, comforting and assuring them that their
faith has saved them.
I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan ...
I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.
Did you sense Me?
I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew
every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me
for the first time on the 86th floor.
Some sought Me with their last breath.
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the
smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take
my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.
But, I was there.
I did not place you in the Tower that day. You
may not know why, but I do. However, if you were
there in that explosive moment in time, would you have
reached for Me?
Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey
for you. But someday your journey will end. And I
will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may
be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are
'ready to go.'
I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.
God
Senior Portraits
9 years ago
