Ten Years Later

It's been ten years since this country was attacked by terrorists. I can't help but remember that day.  I was teaching at the church...my mother and toddler group.  Pastor came into the room, and by the look on his face, I knew something was wrong.  We stepped out of the room and he told me that a plane  just crashed into the World Trade Center!  Of course when I walked back into the room the mothers knew something was wrong.  I can't remember if we continued play group or left for home to sit in front of our televisions.  I do remember wanting  to be near my daughter and my husband, and  I feared that my son, who was on active duty in the Marine corp, would be put in harms way.

The call from my son came the next day..."Mom, I can't tell you where I'm headed, but I want you to know that you won't hear from me for awhile".   With the world on alert after the crashing of Flight 93 and the plane into the Pentagon, I knew that life as I knew it would never be the same.

It's funny how when the body is stressed, it usually shows up in one spot.  With me, it's usually my stomach, but my stress from knowing my son was in full combat readiness was enough to lock my jaw closed.  I couldn't eat or drink! (talk about weight loss!)   I was passed from doctor to doctor...sent to the best hospital in Pittsburgh for consult, but nothing was budging the jaw.  Finally, with physical therapy, it opened enough for me to be able to use a straw, but remained this way for over 6 months.

Even though ten years have passed, we cannot forget that day. Reminders are all around us: more security at airports and government buildings and even in our schools. Our men and women in the reserves (including my son) are now put on long terms of active duty overseas, where they once spent two weeks in the summer on active duty at a local camp.  More people are going out to vote, and for the first time an African American was voted in as President...race was not an issue because we wanted someone who would work for peace and not war.

This weekend, television has what seems like nonstop programs on 9/11.  Even though I told myself I would not watch, I am drawn to them. 

Sunday will be a day of tears.....a day of prayers....