I know this post doesn't encompass what our plans are for our blog; however, it is the post that is on my heart today.
"Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September Day," Alan Jackson used his words so smoothly putting what millions maybe even billions were thinking on that day. Seeing the events of 9-11-01 unfold on live TV was the first event of such magnitude and tragedy in my generation and for a very large number of Americans. Let me tell you where I was, a small town Kansas girl, a Freshman in high school....
The morning started out no different than any other fall morning. Up early for school and since it was the week of the Kansas State Fair it meant early band practice, getting ready to march in the State Fair parade. My mom took me to school that morning like most my freshman year. As I was getting out of the car I slightly recollect hearing something on the radio about a plane crash, but in my "14 year old mind" nothing seemed abnormal. That morning for band we were outside marching on the street. We came in just as the bell rang to move to second period.
2nd period for me was art. I walked in and noticed the TV was on. Our art teacher was just getting ready to leave with the debate teams, with that years topic being terrorism. Ms G then asked us if we had heard what happened. At this point a majority of us had not. Ms G informed us that 2 planes had hit the World Trade Centers. And the first tower had collapsed. Me, being a high school freshman and not being out of the state of Kansas much, I didn't know what the WTC towers were. Ms. G informed us that they were some of the tallest buildings and they held various businesses. Ms. G told us we were welcome to leave the TV on to watch and to just work on what we could. I remember Audry and Jenna (2 sophomores) were also at the same table. As we were sitting in class, discussing what was unfolding before our eyes, we witnessed the 2nd tower fall. I recall the video that has been shown many times of the camera man suddenly running from this plumb of smoke and debris. As we were in class we also heard that the pentagon had been hit and that a plane had crashed in Pennsylvania but they didn't know if that was related or not.
Through out the day the tv was on in many classrooms and in the cafeteria. That afternoon we also had a JV tennis meet in a town about 30 miles away. Being in Kansas we have vast blue skies. There really aren't many times that you DON'T see at least one "jet line" or plane flying overhead. However, this day, September 11, 2001, it was different. The skies were silent. A very eerie silence. There was talk of if something else was going to happen. Talk about the gas prices sky rocketing due to that being the next thing that would be hit. It was not only a day of tragedy and attack but a day of unknowns. However, through all those unknowns and all the sadness, WE all came together. We meaning America. The patriotism for the past and hope for the future. As the week went on things stayed on high alert.
That Friday evening we had planned to go see Leeann Womack at the Kansas State Fair with a couple of friend for my birthday. However, very understandably, she wanted to go home to be with her family and cancelled the concert. We were however blessed with Lonestar and Keith Urban who had also cancelled some shows but were on their way home to Texas and agreed to stop in. It was one of those concerts that was just special. Knowing what was going on around the world it gave us a time to be kids without the worry of what may happen next.
10 years later.
It still doesn't seem that it could have really been 10 years ago. Those images are still fresh in my mind. As I rethink 10 years ago today, I realize there are VERY few days that I recall so many details about that day. I may remember one thing thing but not so many details. The other days are the day that each of my grandparents passed, the day my niece was born, the day my husband proposed, our wedding day, the day my mother-in-law passed away. Some of the days happy, some of them devastating. But none captivated as many people as September 11, 2001.
Where were you when the world stopped turning?
