Even In Face Of Country’s Worst Tragedy

We Had God’s Sameness On Which to Rely

Doves released on our town square today in remembrance of the victims of 9/11.

In the year 2001, the world and my life spun out of control.  Facing divorce and sick with grief, I faced the spring of 2001 alone. Then came the fall when I met a man who would bring so much happiness, but before the dawn of my happiness. tragedy struck our nation on September 11.

I remember the morning, I spent in my media center broadcast room at my school in Easley, SC. I checked my recording machines to ensure that programs were set for my teachers. My middle monitor turned to the Today Show, when at  8:52 a.m. NBC host Matt Lauer stated a plane crashed into the New York Trade Center. Minutes later they aired video of the second plane crashing into the Towers causing a huge fire ball.

I knew that we were under attack. I ran out of my broadcast room and told my fellow librarian to get the principal because our country was under terrorist attack. I knew in my heart evil darkness fell upon our country that morning. The principal came in and watched the newscast as the towers started to collapse. Minutes later he made the announcement to the school and instructed teachers to turn on their televisions.  Eerie silence enveloped our school and town. Televisions across our town were turned on.

Teachers and students hugged each other  in the hallways throughout the day.  They came in and just to talk with us and hug us.  Tears shed over and over again. My life forever altered, I with millions more Americans, have never forgotten.

Later that night after work, I called my now husband who spoke about his shock and what happened during his day. He used a payphone on our town square to call me. The town gathered for a prayer service where singing. He held the phone up as they sung in mass, Amazing Grace.

Fourteen years later, today, my community gathered on that same square to remember that day in a simple ceremony that also honored our first responders. Our mayor spoke about how the incident has become our Pearl Harbor, and the fact that most of us remember where we were and what we were doing when we first heard the news of the terrible attacks. Our district solicitor spoke about valor and never forgetting the sacrifice of the brave public servants who rushed to the Towers to save lives only to lose their own as the Towers collapsed. He also remembered the brave men on Flight 93 who with no concern for their own lives rushed the cockpit to stop the terrorist who had hijacked that plane from crashing it which could have lead to the loss of thousands of more lives. He encouraged us to remain committed to freedom and the fight against darkness and death that our first responders wage daily.

Our mayor speaks during the special 9/11 ceremony today.

                                Carnations of Honor

As I remember that day, I hang onto one central truth in my life. That day brought great changes to our nation and world. We have seen wars and violence and more tragedy since but one thing is constant. No matter what we face, our Lord Jesus remains the same. He never changes. He keeps us; He love us; and His Grace is the same.

El shaddai, el shaddai,
El-elyon na adonia,
Age to age you’re still the same,
By the power of the name.
El shaddai, el shaddai,
Erkamka na adonai,
We will praise and lift you high,
El shaddai.

[tweetthis twitter_handles=”@MaryHill16″]What memories haunt you from 9/11? What poignant truth did you find that day? [/tweetthis]

Contributing to:

A writing community where women gather to write for a solid five minutes on a single word prompt without backing up or over correcting. This week’s prompt: same.

                

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