I have had some time to contemplate September 11th, 2001, and what it means to me in my life, and thought I should write things down.
When I was in school, I remember learning about the assassination of President Kennedy and, as an assignment, we were told to ask our parents what they were doing when they found out that Kennedy had been shot. My teacher told us that everyone in the US remembers what they were doing at the exact moment. Unfortunately, for the purpose of that particular assignment, my mom hadn't been born yet, and therefore did NOT remember. But, the point of this, is that someday, I know my kids are going to be at school and they are going to cover the events of September 11th, 2001, and they are going to ask me exactly what I was doing when I heard the news. I will most likely remember it then as well as I remember it now, but I thought that it may be better for me to write it down, just in case.
September 11th, 2001 was a Tuesday. I woke up super early, like I always did, and was getting ready for my 7:00 am Spanish class at MCC. I was in my mom's room/bathroom, using her sink, and listening to the radio. At first I didn't understand what they were saying (as the morning show always just babbled on anyhow). I knew they were talking about smoke and the building being on fire, but I didn't know which building or where. Then I heard it "The second tower has been hit" They went on to describe how an airplane had just hit the second Twin tower and now they were both on fire. I think my heart stopped. I remember just staring at the radio. Being numb, I still got myself into my car and drove to school, the entire time, listening to the radio. They talked about the horrible events going on in New York, and then were talking about smoke behind the White House, the Pentagon being hit, and a possibly related airplane crash in Pennsylvania. Everything was so confusing. I was so scared. I didn't know what this meant, but knew that war would follow. I had learned in school that it was college aged people that usually started/fought in wars. This was something we discussed a lot in my history classes my senior year of high school... and here I was, in college, and I was freaked out. I went to my Spanish class, and apparently no one there knew a thing about it. I told them that the Twin Towers had been hit by airplanes and everything else I had learned from the radio about the smoke at the White House and the Pentagon. We turned on a little radio they had in the class room and everyone sat in silence as we listened. Eventually the teacher showed up and turned it off. Apparently Spanish couldn't wait. He did; however, let us out early. I walked to the Institute building, still scared and confused. When I got there, I realized that most of the LDS student population was there, and everyone was crowded around the huge television. This was the first time I saw the footage. They showed the smoke billowing out of the buildings, and people crying and walking around confused. Suddenly the unbelievable happened... the first tower started tumbling down. I felt so helpless. Here I am in Arizona watching my fellow Americans suffer in New York. We just kept watching in shock, most of the people in that room were crying. It wasn't long after that the second tower tumbled to the ground as well.
I think I was numb when I went to my English class a few hours later. The small television was on in there as well. My English teacher came in and just turned it off. Apparently English couldn't wait. I don't think anyone learned anything that day. I cried all the way home. I watched the Television in shock as I got ready for work. And then we all watched at work. I prayed a lot that day, for answers to questions I didn't even know how to ask.
I was reading an article, put out yesterday by President Thomas S. Monson, who was discussing how the destruction allowed us to spiritually rebuild. Before discussing the article, I'd have to say, it helped us spiritually rebuild, but, for a brief moment, we were solidified as a nation in a way I haven't ever felt before. In the article, President Monson reminds us that our Heavenly Father's comment to us is unwavering. He softens our winters, and brightens our summers. He has promised us that He will never change. It is us, His children that are less faithful. We are vain, frail, and foolish, and sometimes we neglect our Heavenly Father. We sometimes forget to talk with Him through prayer, or to obey His commandments, which will make us happy. It seems that we, or maybe it's just me, have an easier time remembering Him and to pray to Him in times of disaster or calamity. And then we are quick to forget Him when things are well. Our Heavenly Father would rather us be consistent. As I remember September 11th, and what it means to me... I have thought about my relationship with my Heavenly Father. And I have made a personal commitment to be more Christlike, to pray more diligently, and to do that things that He would have me do.
