The days of our lives: September 2010

I just put Cameron down for his nap and it just registered to me that it is Sept. 11 today. I remember very vividly Sept. 11, 2001. I was a sophomore in college (19 years old) and was VERY GOOD at writing in my journal almost every day. Here is what I wrote in my journal on Sept. 11, 2001 and later turned in as a Reflective Essay in my college writing class at BYU...

Sept. 11, 2001
Today was the most unbelievable day! It is one that I and the world will never forget. I woke up this morning at 8:00, and as usual, I went in the kitchen to get my cereal. As I was pouring my bowl of lucky charms, my roommate Nicole, burst through the front door in a frenzy, asking me if I had seen the news yet. I was startled by her abruptness so early in the morning and I quickly replied that I hadn't. She scrambled for the remote control and turned on the T.V. With my peaking curiosity, I left my bowl of cereal and joined her on the couch, to find out what was going on. I saw Dan Rather in New York City, showing coverage of the World Trade Center. One of the towers was completely destroyed, while the other was still standing, but was engulfed in a big, black cloud of smoke. I stared at the T.V. in disbelief, knowing that just two weeks before, I had seen these buildings in perfect form when my family and I went to New York City for vacation. I looked over at Nicole in complete shock.
Terrorists hijacked four planes, and flew two of them right into the twin towers, and one into the pentagon. The other one crashed in Pennsylvania. What makes this devastating situation even worse was that these planes were commercial air crafts and hundreds of innocent lives were sacrificed by these cowardly acts, on top of the thousands killed in the two massive, 110 story buildings. 50,000 people worked inside the World Trade Center.
Nicole and I stared entranced at the T.V. screen. Everything was so surreal. I was just waiting for them to say that it wasn't real, and that it was all a big joke. Unfortunately, they never did. Dan Rather informed us of all the details available. The second tower was still standing, but was very unstable and on fire. Inside this massive building were thousands of trapped workers flagging desperately outside the windows for help. We then saw hundreds of brave firefighters embarking into their doom without a moments hesitation. I was amazed at the courage and bravery of these firefighters, giving their lives at the possibility of saving the lives of these hopeful people. They were like lambs being brought to the slaughter.
A couple of minutes later, the world and I witnessed the second tower crumble to the ground, witnessing the most devastating terrorist attack of all time. There was nothing but silence; no words to express the flood of emotion every American heart was feeling at that moment. Even Dan Rather had no words to describe what he had just seen.
Feelings of disgust and total devastation took over my body. I felt numb. My blood ran ice cold and a clenching knot developed in my stomach. I couldn't speak for the lump in my throat was too overbearing. My heart ached. Tears streamed down my face as I watched in horror. I thought of all the poor, innocent people who were killed in this evil terrorist attack. I mourned for their families and the excruciating loss of their loved ones. Thousands upon thousands killed. All I could ask was why?
A Saudi terrorist names Bin Ladin was at the top of the suspect list. He had been threatening the United States for a long time, and finally he made his attack. My sorrow quickly turned to outrage. How could someone be so evil and have such little regard for how precious life is? I wanted justice. I wanted him to pay, and to suffer like the thousands of lives that he shattered. I know that he will pay. Never in American history have we been more united. We have given new meaning to the land of the free and the home of the brave. Our nation is strong, perhaps the strongest in the world. We are definitely not going to take this lying down. I feel that all Bin Ladin has done is awaken a sleeping giant.
For most of the day, I watched the news with my roommates. I will never forget this day, and it will definitely go down in history. It is the largest, most devastating terrorist attack the world has ever seen.

Let's remember today all the hero's that gave their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. Never forget!