Barbara writes of the impact that September 11, 2001, has left on her.
(She lost a friend who worked at the World Trade Center Towers in New York City; she was a friend of another friend, M'buti Moore-Sormiento.)
Just WHAT have I learned from September 11, 2001?
~Well, for starters, I have learned of the hatred of some of the world's peoples, and have learned of their evil plot to bring America down to their knees in any way possible; not all people are kind and good, and not all people can be trusted, even after they may move to the United States to live or work. Even though they may live or work in America, some are still loyal to terrorist regimes and terrorism itself.
~I have also learned who our country's friends and supporters are, and I have learned much about Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, and many different terrorist networks and how they operate.
~I have learned more about the World Trade Center Towers during the attacks (and afterwards) in the past two years than just by sitting in a classroom and hearing about them for a day or two. I have also learned of the tenacity and courage of those brave heroes who gave their lives to help others in need; and because of it, they perished, along with those lost in the airplanes and the burning/collapse of the Twin Towers. I learned they worked tirelessly and worked under unbelievablely unhealthy and stressful conditions that one can't possibly even IMAGINE.
~I learned of the resolve of our President and our government to bring these terror suspects to justice for their heinous crimes against innocent people who did absolutely NOTHING to warrent such an attack; and I learned that other nations lost people too, not just so many of our own fellow Americans. People from Kenya (Africa), Australia, England, Canada, Mexico, India, and other places lost loved ones or friends who happened to "be there" that horrible day; the terrorist attacks had a world wide impact in more ways than what had originally been thought.
~I learned that terrorist attacks can happen anywhere, at any time, and nobody is safe; and UNLESS something DRASTIC is done to bring these terrorists to justice, and then PUNISHED SEVERELY for their deplorable actions, NONE of the world's nations or its people are safe.
~I have learned so much about some of those who died in the terrorist attacks, especially my friend, Stephanie Green. I think I may know just about as much about her life as her very own parents or grandparents! (Stephanie Green was the first friend that my friend, M'buti Moore, made upon coming to America from Kenya, Africa; she was her sponsor.)
~I have learned also about the Pentagon and that plane that went down in Shanksville, Pennsylvania: that plane was intended for the White House, but thanks to the courage of some of the passengers on board, they overpowered the hijackers; and the plane went down, killing all on board, including the hijackers. It was an incredible act of bravery and heroism, but not without a heavy price. Because of this brave act, the plane never made it to the White House, and countless lives were saved.
~I also have learned that even though nearly 3,000 innocent men, women, and even children died in the terror attacks, many more people got out of the towers when they were on fire, and the towers were not even half full. Many lives were spared because of this. So it could have been a lot worse than it already was.
This is why I choose to remember that horrific day known as September 11, 2001. I choose to remember Stephanie Green and ALL those who perished, and I choose to reflect and pause for a moment of silence. This is why I pray more ferverently now than I used to since becoming saved; and this is why I wear a charm of the Twin Towers on my necklace at all times. I never take it off, and I don't intend to. I had a friend who died in the Towers, and I want to keep on remembering her (and all the others) as long as I possibly can.
This is why I am so thankful to be living in a country that IS free from hatred, oppression, or violence; and this is why I am so thankful to be FREE. In America, I can believe and worship as I so desire, and I can speak my mind and not fear for my very life. This is why I can wear what I want or become whatever I want to become in life. In America, I can become a doctor, a lawyer, a professional musician/performer, the President of the United States, even an astronaut or professional football player!
September 11, 2001 left an incredible impact on me, and I shall never forget the shock, disbolief, and then horror I felt when this happened; and I also shall never forget the anger or bitterness I held towards those who perpetrated the attacks. I also shall never forget the disturbing images being played out on tv screens all over the nation as they watched the events unfolding before their very eyes, and the nausea I felt when I saw the people celebrating the attacks and burning our beloved American flag. It took me a very long time to forgive the terrorists; and I thought I would never do so; but then God showed me that if I don't forgive, I would never get to Heaven; so I had to learn to forgive the terrorists--AND pray for them. God can change hearts, even the hearts of the terrorists, and I firmly believe that. I really do. I have learned that the terrorists are people too, just like I am, and God even loves them!
Jesus prayed for HIS enemies; why can't I do the same for mine, and also the terrorists? God does change hearts, and I am living proof of that!
I no longer HATE the terrorists; but I HATE what they have done. THEY murdered my friend, and I shall NEVER forget that as long as I live. BUT I can't hate THEM because that would be going against God's Word!
*GOD BLESS AMERICA AGAIN*
*NEVER FORGET!*
*LET US STAND UNITED FOR THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM!*
*~*~*~*~*IN MEMORY OF STEPHANIE ELAYNE GREEN, DIED ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, AT THE WORLD TRADE CENTER*~*~*~*~*
Just WHAT have I learned from September 11, 2001?
