Ten years seems like a long time but when I look at ten years ago today it wasn't that long ago. It seems like just yesterday I got up and grumpily went to my 8 a.m. chemistry class. When I left class at nine I headed to work at the Wesley Foundation like usual. The secretary was sitting there looking confused and asked what was happening. The radio was saying a plane had hit the Pentagon. I quickly called Sarah and told her to turn on the television and find out what was happening. When I was on the phone with her she said a plane just hit in New York too. I quickly gathered my stuff and went home.
I don't remember much else except that I had to go get my roommate at her job at Office Max because her dad was being evacuated from a building in Chicago. I remember people coming to our apartment and quietly watching television all day. I remember calling my dad and saying "Daddy I'm scared. They closed school and I don't understand what's happening" I remember him telling me he loved me. He didn't have any answers to give me, but no one did that day.
I have put off thinking about today all week. I haven't watched any of the specials or talked about it. This morning Reverend Kathy asked us to take 6o seconds and talk to the person next to us about that day. I told Sarah I didn't want to think about it let alone talk about it so she told me a joke. I needed that because I needed to not break down there.
What I haven't wanted to admit to myself is that the wounds of that day are still fresh. Ten years later I can't talk about it or watch anything about the events of that day without getting emotional. I haven't' wanted to admit it because it feels strange to remember that day in such detail with so much pain.
Our world changed that day. The students who came to my class this week have no idea what life was like before that day. They have grown up in terror. I hate that idea, that children don't know what life was like before terrorism became part of our everyday vocabulary.
Today I was thinking about the anniversary and this popped into my head:
America isn't easy. America is advanced citizenship. You've gotta want it bad, 'cause it's gonna put up a fight. It's gonna say, "You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who's standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours." You want to claim this land as the land of the free? Then the symbol of your country cannot just be a flag. The symbol also has to be one of its citizens exercising his right to burn that flag in protest. Now show me that, defend that, celebrate that in your classrooms.
Then you can stand up and sing about the land of the free.
It is part of the speech from "The American President" and I think it illustrates that America is strong and we will rise to any occasion. It gives me hope.
As you reflect on this day listen to this song by Alan Jackson, it is a good reminder of the events that followed the fateful day 10 years ago.
Where Were You (When the World Stopped Spinning)
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or working on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Risin' against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry?
Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out in pride for the red, white and blue
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters?
[Chorus:]
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell
you the difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you teaching a class full of innocent children
Or driving down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?
Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Or speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Or go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
Did you stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love?
[Repeat Chorus 2x]
And the greatest is love.
And the greatest is love.
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?
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