Where I Was

I have decided to write my memories (as I recall them 11 years later to the date) for my children.  As they learn this piece of history during their lifetimes, history Jadyn missed by 10 months, I want them to hear my memories.  Where I was and what I remember thinking and feeling.

September 11, 2001.

Like everyday, it's 7:50am and I am seating myself behind a front desk at Builder's First Source.  Megan walks in, late as usual.  I can picture her in this moment incredibly clear still today.  She rounds the end of the desks on my right and says, "Did you hear about the plane hitting the World Trade Center?".  This is the first I have heard.

Answering my now ringing phone, I am asked an almost identical question now from one of my regular superintendents.

I am embarrassed to admit, but I recall wondering what all the fuss was about.  Tragic for the plane and its passengers, yes, but I had never had this many people so concerned with the news.

Then came the call informing us that the second tower was hit.  Now we know.  We don't know what, who or why, but we know something is terribly wrong.

Someone, I cannot recall who, leaves the office to return a few minutes later with a television.   The remainder of our morning is spent watching events unfold as reported to us by ABC News (Charlie Gibson stands out most in my mind).

Watching the horrific images play out in front of me, people jumping, listening to the fear in the anchors voices as they report this to us...even still, 11 years old later, my eyes swell with tears, and I have an immediate hollow feeling in my stomach.   Heart absolutely broken for those in New York,  DC, and Pennsylvania, unable to imagine the pure terror, fear and loss they were all experiencing.

I do, however, remember leaving the office for lunch, passing crowded gas stations as fear drove people to fill up their tanks.  I remember eating my lunch in my car, alone, at Bear Creek Park, listening to KSBJ.  In the mist of this national tragedy, they had chosen to fill the air with worship music rather than another recount of the events.  They knew the news updates would easily be found elsewhere so they chose to provide a quiet, peaceful, still place for hearts to be comforted.

I have no doubt that the days, weeks and apparently years to come, were filled with the images being replayed on the television and radio, but the truth is my most vivid memories lead up to my lunch hour.  I was still so new in my walk with Christ.  No doubt, my faith was strengthened that day as I so clearly began to understand "Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. "  Philippians  4:6-7 from the Message