Today snuck up on me. I mean, I knew it was Friday, day 5 for McKenna at school, and I had seen September 11 on the calendar. But the day snuck up on me. I will be honest, I didn't give the significance of today a single thought. I cleaned up the house, threw in some laundry, played with Cooper. Then I turned on the TV. That's when I remembered.
None of us will ever forget 9/11, that I'm sure of. I think about how throughout my life I've heard people talk about where they were when President Kennedy was killed or the day the space shuttle exploded. I think to myself that I would like to remember those things so much more than September 11th.
I wonder today what McKenna will learn in school. What will they tell her or show her. Will she understand, will she be scared? I never thought to tell her about that day 8 years ago. Maybe it was to protect her, or just to protect myself. I wonder what grade she will be in when 9/11 appears in her history book?
What is strangest to me is exactly what I DO remember about that day. Every little detail, still fresh in my mind. The patient room I was in when the news broke through; the nurses I was working with that day; wondering if we would get patients flown to us; being sad when we found out there were no patients to save; trying desperately to call Earl; the conversation I had with my mom on my way home; knowing I was headed to Shanksville that weekend for my college roommates wedding; wondering if she was okay. In all of those things there are a few moments that stand out in my mind every September 11th. The pure look of horror and bewilderment on my husbands face when I came home from work and saw him standing in front of the TV. He had worked night shift on September 10th and slept through the morning of September 11th. Sometimes I think he was lucky that he didn't watch all the coverage as it happened. The other moment I will never forget is arriving at the hotel in Shanksville for my friends wedding, walking through the lobby that was filled with State Troopers and FBI agents. That moment was so surreal.
As much I think about how my outlook on life has never been the same, it will never compare to those who lost loved ones that day. I hope that all of you will also remember them today and this great country which we are blessed to call our home.
1 comment:
I can't believe it's been eight years. Four maybe but not eight. I can remember being outside talking to Diane and Mark and seeing one plane flying over the house. Didn't make the connection with the date until they mentioned it.
Post a Comment