Here are three stories I did last year about September 11, 2001.
I.
A Child's Letter To The World Trade Centers--Part One
Dated: September 11, 2001--Tuesday
Dear World Trade Centers:
I was SO sorry to hear that you were hurt in such a horrible, dispicable way. I hope that Jesus is watching over the both of you and has you both safely in the palm of His Hands, where you will both be safe. I will miss you both!
My name is Ronee' Le-Anne Reaux, and I am 8 1/2 years old (I will be 9 in a few months, on Christmas Day). I live in Nashville, Tennessee, with my adoptive family. I feel especially sad because I happen to be a twin (my twin sister's name is Robyn, and she lives with another family, but I still get to see her every day). I also feel especially bad because you didn't have to burn, and then fall, the way you did. I just visited you two months ago TODAY, and seeing your majestic beauty is something I will never forget as long as I live!! I want to remember you as you WERE, NOT what like I had seen on the television before my maman made me turn it off. To see you and your twin burning made me physically sick on the inside. And on the outside. I couldn't eat, and my arthritis kicked up big time; my joints are absolutely KILLING me right now as I write this on my computer.
WHY would ANYONE want to destroy you and your twin? WHAT did America do to deserve being attacked in such a hellish, awful way? I can't even BEGIN to understand the reasoning behind the attacks--what in God's Name were the terror-ists THINKING?? All I can gather is what they did was something out of pure-t evil. I hope NEVER to see ANYTHING like what happened today EVER AGAIN!! I will NEVER forget you, World Trade Center Towers! You will be missed more than you will EVER know!!
I love New York City, and I love AMERICA! God bless America!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!
Your Sad Friend in Nashville, Tennessee--
Ronee' Le-Anne Reaux--aged 8 1/2 (soon to be nine--on Christmas Day!)
II.
A Child's Letter To The World Trade Centers--Part Two
(Author's Note: I purposely misspelled some of the words in this story; it is as if a child is writing the following letter.)
Dear World Trade Center Towers in New York City, New York:
My name is Johnathon Sandusky, and I will be nine years old in a little over 2 months, in December. I am 8 1-2 years old.
I am a New York boy (sort of). I was borned in Germany, but I was raised in NYC until I was adopted by a famly in Nashville, Tenesee. I have lived in Tenesee since I was a baby, but people say I talk like I am from New York City.
I am very sad today. You were attacked by terror-ists, and then you fell down. As a result, many people were killed.
WHY? WHY did you have to go this way?
What did America do? Why do people in other lands hate us so much? What is wrong with believing in Jesus Christ, and what is wrong with being FREE?
I see NOTHING wrong with this!!
I saw you, World Trade Center Towers, in person 2 months ago today, and now you are GONE.
WHY??
I hope that Jesus Christ is watching over you and your brother. And the people who died, and the people who tried to save those who were traped inside the buildings. I pray Jesus keeps the familys safe, and I pray He keeps America saved.
I will also pray we never forget what happend today. EVER.
I will miss you, World Trade Center Towers, forever and ever. You will NEVER be forgotten!
I love America and the red, whit, and blue, and
I love NYC and the World Trade Centers too!!
God bless America again!!
Love you,
Your Christian friend in Tenesee,
Johnathon Sandusky (8 1-2).
P.S.:
I am in a wheelchair. I have muscle dystrophy. But I was able to go ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP FLOOR by elvator! Boy, were you guys HIGH!!!!
Oh! One more thing:
I have a pictur of the WTC Towers in my bedroom. I look at them every day when I get up in the morning and when it is time for me to go to bed. I want to remeber you the way you were!!
III.
A Child's Letter To The World Trade Centers--Part Three
Dear World Trade Center Towers:
I am 12 1/2 years old, and I am writing to you as my way of remembering what happened today.
My name is Barbara, and I live in Nashville, Tennessee, with my maman, daddy, and all of my adopted brothers and sisters.
I am in 7th grade (barely; school just started last week here in Nashville). I go to Donelson Junior High, and my teacher's name is Mr. Pratt.
I was waiting for the bus when I watched the news. What I saw was altogether horrifying. The planes running into first one tower and then the other, and the shock of seeing the explosions and then the black, acrid smoke pouring from your sides. And then seeing the towers rock and then fall made me want to vomit (in which I did; I ended up staying home today). I still feel physically sick as I write this letter of sorrow to you.
I got the idea to write to you from my little brother and sister, Johnny and Ronee', who are both 8 1/2 years old. Before school was cancelled for the day their teachers had them write a letter TO the World Trade Centers, expressing their shock and horror and as a way of having them deal with the tragedy at hand, a tragedy that DIDN'T HAVE to happen. Those jerks. Those God-damn jerks. (I am a Christian, but the anger I am feeling right now is very real, and it is eating me alive; otherwise, I wouldn't be cussing; besides, mommy and daddy would BOTH have my hide if they see this letter!!) But--I CAN'T HATE or say anything bad about MOST Muslims because, as far as I know, MOST Muslims AREN'T violent, hate-filled people (at least, the Muslims I know!); they are AGAINST violence of ANY kind. Just the extreme Muslims; but when one hears the world "Muslims" they automatically think "terrorists". But, as a rule, I CAN'T HATE Muslims just because of a few bad eggs who want to wreck it for everybody. Besides, my one younger sister, Deborah Bapsi Suzanne Joy, is a former Muslim. She was born in Tehran, Iran, but we adopted her into our family 3 years ago. She is now an American Muslim-turned-Christian. I often wonder what MUST be going through her young mind, or whether kids or other people will try to physically harm her because of what she is--or USED to be. I especially worry about her because she is seriously handicapped (she was born without arms or hands and also had been born with spina bifida that left her lower half paralyzed) and she can't physically defend herself. (She controls her wheelchair by means of a switch she pushes with her chin.)
I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to see you two months ago today, and your beauty and height was absolutely AWESOME. Your incredible height and beauty was something to be admired by all who saw you, whether on a daily basis or when in New York City. I know I will NEVER FORGET you--or those that died--as long as I live!
I must go now--have to get ready to go to church. I'll be sure to say a prayer for America, her people, her safety, and even one for you, even though you are now gone.
Besides, my eyes are beginning to fill up again with tears that are threatening to spill over at any moment--
