Where were you that day?

16 years ago today it was just like any other day.... Until it became the day that would be etched into our memories for as long as we live. It was Tuesday, September 11th, 2001. My family and I were doing our newspaper routes like we had done many times before. After we had finished our routes we had gotten into the car so Dad could take us home. On the AM radio it was announced that a helicopter had hit one of the North World Trade Center Tower, how that would become so far worse later on that day.

We came home, Dad woke up Mom and told her what the radio had said. Hearing that, she quickly got out of bed and went to the TV to hear about the breaking news. It was so shocking even for an 11 year old because the Towers had been such iconic landmarks. They were the buildings that could never be touched.... We were wrong.

My sister and I were getting ready for school when we heard our mom say something. I came out to see what was going on when she said, "a plane hit the South Tower". At the point in time, we all knew it was not an accident. 

Our parents did what they thought was best and have us go to school where the day would continue to be as normal as it could be. I had asked my parents years later why they had us go to school even though we were scared. They said, "we didn't want you guys to live in fear. That is exactly what terrorists want, they want to terrorize you". Unfortunately, they didn't know that our teachers would also be watching the news wondering what was going on in our country. 

For the remainder of that day, our focus was on the news and seeing all the horrors unraveling. And that night, most families sat together around the TV to watch our President telling us that we would not live in fear. Days, weeks, and even months later our country was showing more love and unity towards each other than we had seen for years. 

What we must remember most about that day is that we never know when our time on this earth will be up. Our greatest gift we can give them is love.

"Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a Power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me.

This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.

Thank you. Good night. And God bless America." ~President George W. Bush 9/11 Address to the Nation