Remembering 9 11

I can't ever imagine not taking a moment on this day and remembering where I was.

I was at work - I ran a photo lab. I was setting and printing pictures and listening to the radio. The lab was in a larger photography and computer store. I always listened to the radio while I worked. When they broke in and started to describe everything - it was kind of unreal. I called out and said for people to come listen. My work space was tiny - it was taken up by lots of photo machinery. Everyone in the store, staff and customers alike crammed in my lab and listened to the radio with me in complete silence. I remember when the second building came down - we were shocked - scared. My boss who owned the store - his son worked in the twin towers. He was one of the many spared that day - he was sick. But it took my boss hours to hear because of course the cell phones weren't working.

I didn't live far from the store, so I ran home and grabbed a tiny TV with rabbit ears. As I drove home I started to sob - calling out to the Lord - I said 'forgive us Lord - forgive us Lord forgive us Lord' - our pride as a Nation - our sin as a nation. I knew our world would never be the same I just wasn't sure in that moment how much it would change.

I brought the TV back to the store and we had it on all day. It barely came in - it was such a snowy picture - but we all still gathered around it and watched in horror as the story unfolded.

I went home early that day to meet my children from school. My son who was 17 marched in with the papers from the recruiter. He had always planned on going into the Marines - he said I want you to sign today - the recruiter is coming tonight Mom - I'm going in early. My heart stopped. You see it was perfectly fine before that day for him to join the Marines - but that day I changed my mind. Before it was discipline - an education - a maturing. Now it could mean death.

That recruiter came to my house that night. I did not sign the papers. I made my son finish high school. But that recruiter did say words that helped me to face my son going into the Marines better. He said today that my world changed - because it happened in my own back yard. But the world had not changed. Things like this had been happening all over the world in other people's back yards for a long time - and the Marines had been there. It just was real to me now.

He was right.

My heart still breaks every time I hear of another service man dieing - he is someones baby - just like my son. Thankfully my son served, spent his time in Iraq, and lived. He still refuses to talk about it. I know he traveled - in convoys - going house to house, town to town and saw many terrible things. I don't push him - I just pray for him and thank God he made it home safely.

Today I pray again - for our Nation - forgive us Lord. That although for a time we came together - we prayed - we repented - we loved each other - we were sorry. But we have moved on. I pray for the families who lost loved ones on that day. I pray for the families who are still sending their sons into battle and still having some come home in boxes. I cannot imagine that pain. Only you Holy Spirit can comfort them in that time. I send you Holy Spirit today to all those that are in pain that you could be the one that gives peace that passes all understanding.

Please Lord help us as a Nation to turn back to God.

Where were you on that day? What are your prayers for our Nation today?

K