Sunday, September 11, 2011

Where were you?

It was 10 years ago today that the horrible terrorist attacks took place in our country. JT and I have been watching the shows on TV this week. It is important to see and to remember the sacrifices of those innocent people who died that day, as well as all their families.

And as a military wife, the fact that we've been at war now for 10 years because of this, is never far from my thoughts. We've known several people stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and no matter your political stance, it's so important that everyone also remember those who have died protecting our freedom, and those that continue to serve our great nation.
JT joined the Navy in January 2001. Just like the rest of the country, he had no way of knowing that in just 8 short months, we'd be at war... I am so proud of my husband, and his service for the United States of America.

When I was growing up, my Mom always told me about how she could remember exactly where she was when President Kennedy was assassinated. I suppose that September 11th, 2001 is "that day" for our generation. Oh how I wish I didn't have one of those memories...

1o years ago today, I was a freshman in college. I had just got back from my 8 o'clock class and my roommate was watching the news unfold on the TV in our small dorm room. At first, I didn't realize the gravity of the situation and thought it was probably an isolated incident similar to smaller bombings, etc. But, as I saw the second plane hit, it started to set in how serious this was. I was scared. I'd only been at college for less than a month, and looking back that was A LOT for a "new adult" 4 hours away from home, with no friends, family or boyfriend within hugging distance to try to process. I can't believe that we had classes the rest of the day.

I was really worried about JT. He was stationed in Quantico, which is close to DC, and I hadn't heard from him/been able to get in touch with him (because the base was on EXTREME lock down!)

I thought the way I could best share "where I was" on that day, was by sharing some excerpts from a letter I wrote to JT on September 11, 2001. My handwriting has changed in these 10 years, but the feelings are still so fresh.

Dearest JT,
Right now I am in shock. I cannot believe the chaos going on in our country right now. I am so worried about you. I cannot concentrate on class. I just keep praying to God for your safety. I have never been so scared in all my life as I am today. I've been crying all morning and I feel so sick right now. I wish that I knew where you are right now, how you are doing. How can our country be victim of this sort of attack?! This is unreal. Why can't those terrorist keep their conflicts to themselves? Why kill innocent Americans? What do they gain from hurting us so?! Perhaps this is the beginnings of the end predicted in Revelations? All our dreams of marriage, children, true happiness, could be that: just dreams...

JT was FINALLY able to call me late that afternoon. I was SO relieved to talk to him and hear that he was safe. And looking back on this letter 10 years later, I feel SO incredibly blessed that our dreams have come true: Marriage, a baby boy, true happiness. Even last night at 2am when CJ was crying inconsolably (teething?), I was thinking I am SO thankful on this day and everyday to have this boy as I rocked him back to sleep.

Today I am praying for everyone affected by the events of September 11, 2001. May God bless America.

1 comment:

Sue said...

I am reading this as I head back to Edisto from Beaufort after some image test. I too remember that day. When I saw the second tower drop it was like a horror movie unfolding, but it was a reality very hard to accept, because it was happening here in our own USA. You have done a great job expressing yourself here and maybe I need to try to do this as well on my blog so that the future generations of Livingston and Thompsons who did not live through this time might understand our feelings. I may combine Kennedy. Martin Luter King and 9/11? Thank you for writing this. Love to all.