Seven Years

Every generation has their"I remember where I was when...". For my dad's father, it was "I remember where I was when I heard about Pearl Harbor." For my mother's parents, it was "I remember where I was when I heard that JFK was shot." For my parents, it was "I remember where I was when the Challenger exploded." And of course for my generation, it is "I remember where I was when the Twin Towers were struck."

I had just turned 14 and was preparing for another day of school when my aunt called my mother and told her that a plane had struck the World Trade Center (ignorant child that I was, I had no idea what or where the WTC was). At first, we thought "What a horrible accident!", but as we watched, the second plane hit and the enormity of what was happening began to sink in. Needless to say, the rest of the day was spent watching the horror unfold on television. There were so many thoughts and feelings running through me and even now I can remember some of them.

-I remember what an absolutely GORGEOUS day it was. Such a brilliant blue sky with not a cloud in sight and a cool breeze blowing. It seemed more like a day for late October than early September.

-I remember feeling numb all over. It was as if I was in a dream, hoping that I would soon wake up.

-I remember desperately wanting my dad to finish his route and come home. Even though we were so far away from what was going on, I just wanted my family close to me.

-I remember feeling an overwhelming love for my country that I had never felt before. All of a sudden, the sight of a flag waving in the breeze or the strains of a patriotic song brought tears to my eyes.

In 2005, I had another encounter with this tragedy that touched me deeply. My dad and I were in New York for a business trip, and we were riding through Manhattan on a tour bus with other members of Dad's business from all over the world. As we passed Ground Zero, a reverent hush fell over the entire bus. The huge amount of respect shown for that place, not just by us Americans, but by everyone was an amazing thing to witness.

So where were you? What feelings did you have? How has that experience changed how you see life, America and God?