I Remember......

Facebook and the news is just full of things about remembering the events of 9/11/2001.  I remember, after my first stunned shock at seeing it happen on TV, thinking first that it was definitely a terrorist attack and second that I was glad my dad wasn't alive to see it.  I know he would have been more than horrified as a vet of WW2.  He was very patriotic and proud that he had served and even been wounded at the Battle of the Bulge.  I knew he would have been beside himself over the things that happened that day.

I was watching TV when the second plane hit the other tower and, since I was on the phone, shouting, *OMG!  OMG!  A second plane hit the other tower!*  I think I kept repeating myself a couple times before I could calm down a bit and concentrate on what all was happening.

I remember the shock I felt when the first tower collapsed and I just knew that many more people had to have lost their lives just because everything happened so damn fast.  I was hypnotized and couldn't take my eyes off the TV at all.  I called the Beast to tell him what was happening and remember his disbelief when I told him what I had seen happening live.  He was shocked and hurried through what he was doing to go back to the office to watch it on TV there.

It was a horrific day for everyone.  No one could have been untouched by the days events.  No one.  It riveted us as a nation.  Patriotism, which had waned over time, came back with a vengeance.  You could almost feel it in the air.  We wanted to know WHO was responsible and HOW it could have happened.  How it was planned and executed.  We cheered and cried over the people that had turned on the terrorists to prevent them from heading for the White House.  We also cried for them and their heroic actions that resulted in their deaths.

We cried for the families of the firefighters that had died when the towers collapsed.  We cried for the policemen who had died trying to help save the people in the towers.  We cried for all the emergency workers trying to tend to the wounded.  We cried as a nation for all the families that were searching for their loved ones in the hope that they might be found alive or wounded at one of the many hospitals, clinics and other centers that they might have been sent to.

The hearts of our nation were bleeding for so many lives lost because of a different religious ideology in a nation that tolerated those differences and even protected them.  How could this have happened HERE, of all places?  It was beyond belief but it polarized a nation like no event since WW2 had.  How could I forget something like that???

The Beast's aunt Em, happened to be born on 9/11 and she was horrified that it happened on her birthday.  She said she would never feel the same about her birthday again.  Who would?  But, no matter what date it had occurred on, it would have been SOMEONE'S birthday.  Sad but true.  

I'm sure tomorrow will be even worse than the *reminders* that were posted on FB today.  It will drive me nuts because I doubt anyone alive over the age of 18 does NOT remember that day.  For many, it will be more painful since they lost loved ones and that is a kind of pain that doesn't go away...not quickly.  You always remember, but the pain becomes bearable over time.

Do you remember how you felt that day?  Of course you do.  But the shock of it is not intense as it was for a long time afterward.  Say a prayer for the ones that died and their families tomorrow.  Let's hope the survivors heal from any physical and emotional pain they have.  Yes, I remember.

Love you all.  Have a nice weekend.  Hug your loved ones close.  Be sure they know how much you love them.  Today is all you are assured of.  Tomorrow is only a promise.  ***Hugs***

NO HINTS TODAY.  I WILL MAKE IT UP TOMORROW.  PROMISE!