This day I am only reminded of what was taken away from not only myself, but our entire nation as a whole.  I hate seeing the images or being reminded yet again of what happened 11 years ago today.

I still miss my friend, Stephanie Greene, as much now as I did when I found out she was among the dead.  She was my heart; Stephanie and I shared a very close relationshp; we were more than friends: we were nearly like sisters, we were that close.

Stephanie sponsored me when I first came to America, a scared young Maasai girl, unfamiliar to American life and ideals; she helped me with my English and was very patient with me.  She and I lived in New York City for a time, but I moved to Tennessee shortly before the attacks.  I remember seeing the Twin Towers in real life and marveled at their beauty and majestic height.  I remember going up to the very top floor and looking out over the City and marveling at the ability of man to build something so .... tall.

Then came that terrible day. 

I still cannot bear to watch the news or see the videos: it is way too upsetting for me.  

I still feel pain in my heart when my children ask me "Why?".  How does a Mamma explain to her precious babies about the gravity of that unforgettable event and the pain it brings me?  They look up at me with such innocence in their eager young faces and I am forced to look away ... and weep.  Then Daddy has to tell them about September 11, 2001 ... that is, if they don't learn about it in school first.

Today is a day of reflecting and remembering.  I lit a candle this morning in memory of Stephanie Greene and all the other victims who persihed not only in the Twin Towers, but the Pentagon in Washington DC and that plane that crashed in Pennsylvania.  I stand with President Obama and am grateful that even he remembered the cost of human loss of life; many people accuse him of not doing so, but the fact is, he DID.  I saw it on the news this morning and it filled my heart with hope.

Roberto is getting ready to go to Memphis this weekend, to Millington, for his once a month "tour of duty", as part of the Marine Reserves.  He is packing and my heart aches; I hate it whenever he has to go away because I know that any time he could be called to duty and go wherever he is needed.  So far he hasn't done so, but I know it could happen.  He could go back to Iraq, or even to places like Afghanistan, North Korea, or Pakistan.  I don't know what I or the children would do without him; we've come to depend on Roberto (the children's daddy) so much!

I just thank God I have the children; they help out so much and take very good care of me when I am ill or have fallen yet again.  

Anyway, back to my story.  I just wish that today could have been skipped; it would have made things much easier on those who are directly affected by the tragedy of September 11, 2001!  I just thank God that nothing happened and pray that nothing DOES.  I have been on my face in prayer, beseeching God for His mercy, His wisdom, His grace, and divine protection upon our nation, especially since this IS an election year!  Anything could still happen .....

May we NEVER pause to forget!  I wish I could, but the truth is, I can't.  I ... just .... CAN'T!!

~M'Buti.  :(  *Tears!*