September 11, 2001
Doesn't he look so excited! But shortly after I took this picture, our attention was turned to the television screen where we saw some buildings with smoke pouring out of them. I thought it must be something that happened in some faraway country and I refocused my attention on
Andrew (because I was inwardly dreading the goodbye). But then we heard the announcements and the TV's were shut off. Suddenly there was confusion and fear in everyone's eyes. Rumors started floating around the airport. People said that airplanes were going down all across the United States. I think I even heard someone say that one had hit the White House. It was under those circumstances that I said a quick goodbye and had to leave the airport immediately. Andrew returned to the MTC. It felt like the world was coming to an end or at least it would never be the same. [As a side note, I lost my airport parking ticket because I was so frazzled and they didn't even make me pay! That's when I knew it was worse then I originally thought.]
Well the world didn't come to an end but it definitely has never been the same. As that day went on I remember feeling totally vulnerable but somehow feeling strong at the same time. Especially as stories began to emerge of Americans who courageously prevented the White House from attack or Emergency Responders who willingly ran into chaos to save people they didn't even know. I felt proud to be an American.
As the years have passed there are times when I don't feel very proud to be an American. I know, that is an awful thing to admit, but when I hear stories of dirty politics or nationalistic arrogance I become easily disenchanted. Even though we are not perfect, I still am so grateful for this country and the freedoms and privileges I have from being an American. I know that they come with a price.
Today in church we sang The Star Spangled Banner. I almost lost my composure. I am so grateful that America didn't crumble to pieces as I was driving back from the airport that day. I'm grateful that there are so many wonderful Americans who value the Constitution and are willing to sacrifice their lives to defend it. I'm grateful for those who have suffered much to build a great country where I feel safe and know my children have a future they can work for. There must be a reason why I feel the Spirit so strongly when I think of my country and everything that has been done to preserve our freedoms. I know it is because God expects me to remember and be better because of it.
Love this quote I read today:
God can’t give us peace and happiness apart from Himself because there is no such thing.” — C.S. Lewis
Let there be peace in America today.
1 comment:
Thank you Lauren, my feelings of the day and what has happened since mirror yours. As excited parents we took off work to drive the 7 hours to Dulles Airport in order to spend a few minutes with Andrew during his layover. We got to the area early, so went into a discount mall to wait, just in time to hear that a plane had hit a twin tower. With no cell phones we spent the next several hours worried about what to do, then driving home, stopping every half hour trying to call grandparents, friends, anyone--because we did not know if Andrew was in the air when this happened. We only knew that the airports had closed. On the way home we were passed by dozens of large rescue trucks until we saw a large puff of what looked like smoke near the Somerset, Pennsylvania exit. From then on we saw the rescue trucks coming towards us--to go to the spot where the fourth plane went down--the area where the large cloud of smoke had been. The next few days were some of the most frightening of my life, even though I had found out that Andrew had returned to the MTC. My eyes still water when I think of that time--as I rewatched the planes hit the two buildings we had watched be built when we lived in NYC. I was worried about the future, I was worried about our friends and ward members in NYC-many who live just blocks from the towers. I hate the arport checkpoints, but each time I go through I have to remind myself that we live in a wonderful country which is now trying all it can do to prevent us from reliving that awful time.
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