As I woke up this morning, I looked around…What time is it? What day is it?….It’s September 11th. I am overtaken in an instant by the sobering memory of this day 10 year ago. I get up, wake up my kids and my husband…I’m going to the Healing fields. Right now. Who’s coming? Steve gets up, two kids also get up. It’s not surprising to me which two. One that remembers being in 2nd grade and hearing about it at school and my youngest, who doesn’t remember but has heard me tell the story of where I was time and again. Like many, it was a typical morning, getting kids off to school and preschool, shower, diaper changes, getting kids dressed, combing hair on my little boys and a fussy 5month old baby who is ready (begging) to go down for her morning nap….so as I sit down, a welcome break, I grab the remote & flip on the Today show and it all unfolds right there. My first thoughts “Who could be stupid enough to fly a plane into the World Trade Center”?…Another plane hit……Watching the people faces and then the Towers collapse… I don’t remember much beyond it…I don’t know if I actually laid her in her crib at some point, or what the boys were doing. I just remember being afraid to step away from the TV, not knowing what would happen next…I’m sure I talked to someone on the phone, I vaguely recall talking to Steve. I just remember feeling gripped, terrified, I cried, I prayed, I held my kids all day, I could not wait to get Spencer home from school, I skipped my trip to the grocery store.
I can hardly believe it’s been 10yrs. and that my baby is now 10yrs. old. This morning at the Healing Fields she walked all the way to the top of the Face with her Dad while I just walked around through the flags. When I saw them coming back down she got to a point where she saw me and my waive put her into a straight sprint towards me which happens often. But for a brief instant I thought “Stop! Don’t run, be more reverent for where we are!” but I didn’t stop her, I picked up my camera and started snapping. Because she’s 10. Because she lives in America she does not live in fear. She doesn’t understand terrorism or war and she only knows what it’s like to be free. She is kind and courteous and respectful and is interested in the flags and the names and the stories, she will remember the victims through the news, stories and our recollections. I don’t believe any of the victims of 9/11 would want those terrorists to steal another moment of joy from anyone, especially a 10yr old child.
My oldest son, now in his senior year of high school about to embark on the world and has arrived at the the reality that freedom is not free. His eyes have been opened to world events…His generation is going to have a lot on their plate. He is quiet, he take it all in, he is reflective….He remembers.
– – – – – – –
I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
by Terri
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