11 Years.

We all have “those” moments in our lives – moments when significant events happen and we remember exactly where we were at that specific point in time.

For me (and I’m sure for a lot of us), September 11, 2001 is a day that I will never forget.

By the time I heard what was going on in New York, I had already arrived at college. Along with several fellow students, I crowded around a TV in the lobby of our BCM. I think I might have even missed a class that morning….ssshhhh…don’t tell on me! (I was not a class skipper – especially once I reached nursing school!) I also remember staying glued to the television that evening.

“None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world. Thank you. Goodnight, and God Bless America.” –President George W. Bush

Fast forward to this past weekend – I was on vacation in New York with my family (definitely more on that later) and one of our planned events  included a trip to the 9/11 memorial at the site of the old World Trade Center buildings.

Lots of memories flooded back to me and I again felt anguish for all of those who were affected in the dreadful attack.

The pools were an incredible thing to see – very moving. The names of each passenger on board the flights, the first responders, and those who lost their lives in the towers and the Pentagon are listed around the pools.

After visiting 9/11, we walked over to St. Paul’s Chapel which served as a refuge for those working the Trade Center site. 

Today, the inside of the chapel serves as a memorial to those whose lives were lost.
 

The story of the firefighters boots brought tears to my eyes….

The inside of the chapel was full of notes and mementos.

In total, we spent about 2 hours at the memorial. The sights and stories of bravery located all over the chapel were incredible. It was very moving and touching and I left there feeling even more proud to be an American.

The one thing that stuck in my mind the entire morning was the huge disregard of human life (and in this case, thousands of lives). Each picture at the memorial, each name was someone’s family member – someone’s wife, mom, dad, husband, sister, brother – lives taken from this earth far too soon. My heart went out to the families who lost loved ones. I know these memories are still raw and when this anniversary arrives each year, the pain is still as great. I whispered several prayers for the victims families as I walked around the memorial and I will continue to do so today and every time I think about it.

9/11/11.

We will never forget.

Where were you when the world stopped turning?