A young adolescent girl remembers the horror that was September 11, 2001.
On Monday, September 11, there will be plenty of tears and rememberance as Americans near and far remember the awful events that transpired five years ago.
I was but a little girl of eight, but I remember everything so clearly. I was at school when the attacks happened. I remember our principal, Mr. Fairchild, coming onto the PA system, telling us that the Pentagon in Washington DC and the World Trade Centers in New York City had been hit by planes and both were now on fire. We had been attacked by terrorists.
I remember how scared I felt at the news, and I remember that we kids couldn't concentrate on our lessons. All we could talk about what was what happened. I remember a lot of us (including myself) were crying. I also remember that because of the terror attacks school was to be cancelled, and we were back home by noon, twelve-thirty.
I remember seeing Maman and Daddy; when they came to the door, both were crying, and they hugged us tightly as they told us about what happened. I couldn't concentrate on anything, my mind was in a jumble, and my tummy felt like a lead balloon. I was worried about what would happen next, and when I saw the news reports, I felt sick to my stomach. I immediately started crying, and I immediately started to pray.
I didn't understand why people would hate America so much to attack her in the manner that they did, but because of their hate, twin towers now no longer stand regally in the NYC skyline, and nearly 3,000 people--men, women, children--were senselessly murdered. The Pentagon was also hit. Over 80 people there were killed. It turned out that there were four planes which were used as bombs. Now America will never be the same again.
It was the worst attack in history, and it was the first time since World War II, when Pearl Harbor in Hawai'i was hit by the Japanese, thus thrusting our nation into war.
I remember I was very angry; for a long time, I couldn't bring myself to trust anyone who was from the Middle East. In my young mind, all I could think about was the terrorists, and I was afraid that people like my friend Fahid Mohammed were somehow linked to terrorist organizations. I had a very hard time trying to be a friend to her.
I learned later that not all people from that region of thw world are "bad", and once my mistrust went away, I was determined to be a friend, and now she and I are very close, even though we may believe in different ways.
I was also very sad. For a long time, I couldn't talk about 9-11 without crying (or wanting to cry). It was during this time when I began writing, first to the World Trade Center towers themselves, and then writing poems or stories about the tragedy. My writing down my innermost, deepest feelings helped me to heal in time, and even though I am still sad about what happened, I can now live with the memories without losing it.
I try to help others cope with the event by singing at the memorial services they have had for the past four years, and I try to give people a sense of hope. I have read some of my September 11, 2001, poems I have written at church and at events like the memorial service for the victims, and in the long run it makes me feel better inside.
No, it isn't easy looking at the terrifying images being played out on the newscasts or on the tv screen, but it happened, and we must learn to live and move on with our lives. We must learn to not give in to the terrorist's demands of fear and hate and learn to help those in need. I think the events of September 11, 2001, have opened up our minds in ways that were not thought possible, and it has brought people closer to God. I know it has for people like me.
We must always remember the day's events and reflect on how worse it could have been. No, we don't understand why we were attacked in the way we were, but God was in control of the situation, and a lot of lives were saved that day by His Grace. God was in the midst of all the tears, fear, and anger, and He still is. Now we turn to Him as we pause, reflect, and remember, and all we can do is count our blessings and pray that nothing of this magnitude NEVER happens again!
God bless America again!!
~Written by Ronee' Le-Anne Reaux, aged 13 1/2, on Saturday, September 9, 2006. :( >tears<
This is a touching reminder or that dreadful day is 2001, Karen. How well you have captured the emotions of families who weren't connected, but yet were connected. Yhe entire world felt America's pain, and still try to understand the minds of those who would do something like this to innocent people. They can't have the same heart as we are blessed with; we are taught to love our neighbor as ourselves...!
Karen, God bless you for this outstanding and compassionate write...and through the eyes of a young girl.
I personally have 9 grandchildren, and it is indelibly scribed into their hearts and minds forever...and with whom, I will share this.
As you so aptly inferred, God will use it for good.
Like Ed, for me it was President Kennedy: JFK's assassination helped to form a whole generation of people who asked what they could do for their Country..
9-11 drove a new generation of selfless Warriors into a new realm of Warfare..and on multiple Fronts! But it also gave us unparalleled Heroes...from those in the planes, to those Policemen and Firemen
Doctors, Nurses, Paramedics...the list is endless!
May we always cry out in Endless prayer, and may God have mercy on us all.
Thank you so much, Karen. This goes in my Treasure Vault.
Much Love& Hugs, Rhonda
I believe many children have very vivid memories of any truly horrific events that occur in their childhood - and they often remember them very vividly for the rest of their lives. Mine was the assassination of JFK - and sometimes, in my mind - it seems like yesterday.
We were all affected by the events of that day, and still are reeling with the aftershocks...a powerful, heartfelt, poignant rememberance, very well penned.
