The Day that changed our lives forever.

Nine years ago today I was a 16 year old who was heading to my Sophomore History class. When I walked in I was met by my teacher and a few students watching the T.V. I thought, at first, it was a movie we were watching for class. However, I suddenly learned that it was the news...and it was live. I remember watching and still being so young and innocent that I was completely confused at what was going on. A few minutes into the observance of what was going on thousands of miles away, I broke the silence with a "What the heck is th....". Before I could even finish my question, a second plane hit the South Tower.

I remember feeling sick to my stomach-- like I was going to throw up. Now the news was erupting with the terms such as "Terrorist Attacks", "hijacked planes", and "people jumping to their death". I felt scared. I felt uncomfortable. And I felt threatened for the first time in my life. People hated us so much that they decided to kill innocent people? Why? What had we done? Then just when you thought it couldn't get any worse... it did. "The Pentagon has now been hit. The most secured building in the United States has been attacked!" What was going on? I felt like crying but my pride held me back from that.

Nine years later I have matured quite a bit. I am not embarassed to show my emotions about this terrible day. I am now a teacher to children who were years away from being born. They don't know about September 11th. They don't understand why it makes people sad. Angry. Upset. So I had to talk with them about it yesterday. This was the first time most of them had heard of even seen pictures of the Twin Towers. After telling the kiddos about this day I let them ask questions...

Student: "Ms. Daniell? On September 11th did a lot of people die?"
Me: "Yes baby. There were a lot of people who lost their lives."
Student: "Even kids like us?"
Me: (with tears in my eyes) "Yes even kids like you."
Student: "That makes me want to cry like you Ms. Daniell!"

They may not remember seeing it live. Or hearing about the many thousands lost. But they understand that it was not suppose to happen. They get that it was a terrible tragedy and that it was very sad and heartbreaking. Even though it was horrible and terrifying and sickening God was still in control. He allowed it to happen not to be mean or teach us a lesson--but to beckon His children back to Him! Lord allow me to be constantly in Your presence that I don't have to be reminded to love You!!

Never Forget. Never Give Up. Our God is GOOD!!