I was off work sick. Curled up on the sofa, watching a film. I pressed the ‘pause’ button and went to the kitchen to make another Lemsip. But by the time I got back to the sitting room the player had gone asleep and the telly had kicked back in. “Grrr…. I hate when that happens!” The inconvenience of it all…
I saw the ‘Breaking News’ banner flashing as I fumbled with the remote control and as I went to press ‘play’ I looked up and saw the two towers with the plume of smoke coming out of one of them. As the commentary continued I sat at the edge of the sofa just shaking my head slowly saying, ‘No… way… no… way… ‘ then, well I thought my heart would stop when the 2nd plane hit the other tower.
I watched the telly for hours and days afterwards as the towers collapsed and the story of the other planes unfolded. The world has never been the same since. Even now, many long frustrating queues in airports are because no one knows if, when, where something like this will happen again. But listening now to the victims’ names being read out, one by one – it’s clear that the love and strength of those left behind is far more powerful than any force used to bring destruction that day.
On the Official 9/11 Commemoration Website, the 9/11 Memorial President Joe Daniels says of th2 11th anniversary,
“Despite the unimaginable tragedy of 9/11 itself, this day is also about the spirit of unity that came in the aftermath. It showed us that the best of humanity can overcome the worst hate. It gave us hope for the future.”1Amen to that!
1 Taken from http://www.911memorial.org The full text of Joe Daniels’ message can be found here
Just another Christian woman... 
Hi, It’s elle from http://www.lifelogfriends.blogspot.com. Thanks for reaching out. This is a topic that touches us all. I remember that day painfully as I imagine do so many others. My husabnd was in Boston and the Sunday before…9/9 he was in the towers with a mens retreat from our church. I called him to tell him about the accident, which I believed the first one was and then it happened again and I was over come with dread….I will never forget that feeling as long as I live!
Hiya Elle, Thanks for your thoughts 🙂 I’m up to my eyes at the mo, but will get back to you re your blog 🙂 x
Beautiful. It really is the spirit of unity and compassion the day evoked in people that has stayed with me all this time. People ran to church where they could find comfort. We shouldn’t need a tragedy of this enormity to remind us how desperately we need God, and each other.
Thanks Kathleen. You’re so right, but sadly it is tragedy that often makes us turn to Him – just as it turns people away from Him too 😦
“…it’s clear that the love and strength of those left behind is far more powerful than any force used to bring destruction that day.” Beautiful! Thank you for sharing your thoughts today.
Blessings,
Joan
Thanks Joan and you’re so right.
I always love when I hear that the messages that came from people as they knew they wouldn’t see their families again – were ones of love and devotion.