A Nation United - September 11, 2001

So, I know I'm copying both older sisters by posting about this, but I am a day late anyway due to no internet.

I can't believe it has been eight years. I remember that morning sitting in my freshman Geography class. We were in the classroom when my teacher all of a sudden ran up to the t.v. and turned it on. There, we saw the devastation of a plane crashing into the first tower. I couldn't even comprehend what was going on. It probably took me twenty minutes with all the chaos to realize that a commercial flight from the U.S. crashed into the Twin Towers in New York.

My teacher started running down the hall telling each teacher to turn on their t.v. He told us to go into the library where we witnessed the second plane crasy and watched it until class was over an hour later. Then our wonderful (not) principal told the teachers not to turn them on the rest of the day so that we could focus. I don't know how anyone could focus after something like that. I was so angry when we were told. Throughout the day, I heard of the other planes that had gone down. Four planes. Taken over by terrorists willing to die for what?

My dad was supposed to fly to Canada that day. I heard that all planes had been grounded, but I knew he was supposed to leave that morning. I had no idea what to even think. I knew that the other planes were commercial, but didn't know what anyone was capable of. I was called to the office around lunch time with a note that my mom called and said that my dad had not taken off. His flight was cancelled. I felt so much relief and remember saying a thankful prayer in my head. I called my mom and she wanted to know if I needed to come home. I said I was fine staying at school, but that I wished they would let us watch what was happening. I felt so lost.

That night, I remember going home in my room, at 14 years old, and just crying. It was my third week of high school, and I was so stressed and scared. People were talking about how Wichita would be a great target for terrorists since it was the "air capitol of the world." I was so terrified and worried about all my family. I knew Andrea was hysterical, and to say the least, it didn't make me feel any better. I knelt down and I said a prayer once again. I felt the most peaceful feeling come over me. I heard a voice clearly in my head that said, "You have nothing to be scared of, my child, for you are safe with me." I felt peace, but I just cried more. Knowing that I am safe with my Heavenly Father is the most comforting thing.

That day was a terrifying and horrible day. But I will forever remeber the things I learned that day. I was so greatful then for my knowledge of the gospel. It helped keep me calm. I felt terrible for those who were so close to the incident. People who could see others jumping from fourty-plus floors up to keep from burning to death. People who saw others running from the building completely on fire. People who died saving others. People who helped others make their inevitable death more comforting. People who took over a plane filled with terrorists and crashed it into a field, giving their own lives to save thousands more. There were so many heros on that day. So many people who could only think of others and not themselves. Seeing stranger be so christlike- what an amazing thing to be a part of and witness.

I remember thinking that day that I would never get some of those images out of my head. I had nightmares for awhile, but they have gone away. I thought that every year that passes, the memory of that day would be forgotten, but as I drove around yesterday, I saw flags in yards, people with their red, white, and blue on, and I saw so many that did remember. I know I will always remember that day. I will remember the feelings I felt for my family, for those in New York, for those all over the world, who felt some sort of impact by that day. I love this country. I love my family. And I love my Heavenly Father and the Gospel, and the comfort it gave me through that horrible time.