A Day of Mourning

14 years ago today, tragedy struck all of our lives.   Whether you live in New York or Hoboken, IL – you remember where you were when the first plane struck tower.  

The radios, TV and internet were flooded with pictures and videos of terror and destruction. 

I wonder how different it was when Pearl Harbo was attacked?  TVs and Radios were not as common in the 40s.  How long did it take for everyone to find out about the bombing?   How long before they were able to connect with their loved ones?

People across the country watched as the second plane crashed into the towers.  People in California SAW what happened AS it happened. 

The pictures were horrifying!  It felt like the whole world was holding its breath waiting for something, anything to tell us that it wasn’t true.  Waiting for someone to tell us everything was going to be okay. 

But it wasn’t okay, and it WAS real.   

As the hours and days went by, the nation continued to tremble as more and more bodies were dragged from the rubble.

And today, as I told my kids goodbye I realized they have NO IDEA of the magnitude of pain 9/11 represents.   They don’t know what it’s like to feel the entire nation mourn together over a horrific act. 

But WE know, and WE remember.

Today, I will watch my children play and joke around.  I will see them fight and whine as I continue to mourn and process the history of today. 

I will let them play; fight and whine today because I HOPE they never understand what I am feeling.

And I PRAY our children NEVER understand how a single act can bring a nation to its knees.