Lousiana Sandusky continues to offer us glimpses into her life and let us know what is up with her and her friends.
Friday, September 12, 2003, 2:47 p.m.~
We managed to make it through another September 11 without further incident: no terror attacks occurred, and for that, we can be VERY grateful indeed!
Yesterday, we spent the day watching CNN and remembering; and even the kids who were old enough to understand watched. We also talked about what happened that day back in 2001, and we talked about Stephanie Eileen Green, a friend of ours who had perished in the World Trade Center when the first plane crashed into it. She died instantly; she was only in her middle 30's. She would have been 37 today; today was her birthday.
We then spent the rest of the day praying and crying; but by 4, we had to get ready, so we could leave the house by 6; so we could be in downtown Nashville by 7. We were to be at the memorial service for the 9-11 victims of the terror attacks upon our nation, and our one daughter, Ronee', was scheduled to take part in the ceremony. She was to sing two songs: "God Bless America Again" and "Amazing Grace". There would be other people singing, too, besides Ronee'.
All of the kids, my husband, my father and stepmother, and myself all piled into our three vans and two cars, and we made our way to downtown Nashville for the memorial. We were to meet up with Roberto and his family, and during the memorial service, we would sit together. (Excepting for Ronee', that is; she had to go get ready for her performance.)
(Later)
The service lasted from 4 to 9:30; during the service, there were prayers, offerings, and the reading of the 2, 972 victims' names, and the ringing of a bell after each name had been read. When we heard Stephanie's name, we all cried and remembered her vibrant spirit. Then there was the appropriate music, and many prayers went up to the victims and their still-grieving family and friends. As far as we could see, there were American flags, big and small, and people dressed in red, white, and blue or shirts commemorating New York City, 9-11, and America in general.
Ronee' did sing her two songs, and during the second one, she nearly didn't make it through; but she fought back as best as she could, and managed to finish the song, even though she was crying. She got an ovation after the songs, and we were all so very proud of her. I know it was hard for her to get up in front of over 2,000 people and sing a song for her friend who had died, but she had managed to triumph beautifully.
Johnny also participated in the event: he read a poem called "Twin Towers, Symbols of Hope", in which he wrote; and he, too, got a standing ovation. He, too, was trying to keep from crying, and he was wearing a black New York Yankees jacket and hat. He loves New York City, and he considers it his home, as he was there for a time before he came to us as our son. His older brother, Erick, who is now 15, saw the attacks happen, and for a few days, Johnny thought he had been killed; but thankfully, he wasn't, and when he DID hear from him, it was a very emotional and happy day, indeed. Johnny also chose to remember Marcus DuWayne Smith, who had been a firefighter. He was also the cousin of a paramedic we know very well, Kendall Smith. He also read a poem about firefighters he had gotten off of the Internet while at school, and as he read, there was not one dry eye at the service. When he was done, he got another standing ovation.
No, we can't EVER forget what happened two years ago yesterday, but we MUST go on, and we MUST never forget! Our country as we knew it was forever changed, and this is why we are now at war. Our freedom was threatened by terrorists, and our shores had been attacked; and 2, 972 innocent men, women, and even children had been senselessly murdered. We still face the danger of more attacks, and this is why we must learn to appreciate and cherish the freedoms we already DO have. All we can do is hope and pray that nothing this evil ever happens again here in America; and learn to trust in God to get us through these rough and uncertain times.
IN MEMORY OF:
*STEPHANIE EILEEN GREEN*
STEPHANIE EILEEN GREEN DIED ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, IN THE WORLD TRADE CENTER IN THE TERRORIST ATTACKS, ALONG WITH SO MANY OTHERS. MAY THEIR MEMORIES LIVE ON! MAY WE NEVER FORGET THEM!
MAY WE ALSO REMEMBER THE ONES WHO DIED AT THE PENTAGON AND IN SHANKSVILLE, PA., AND THE BRAVE RESCUERS WHO DIED TRYING TO SAVE THE LIVES OF OTHERS! MAY WE ALWAYS REMEMBER THEM, TOO!!
*~*~*HAPPY BIRTHDAY; WE SURE DO MISS AND LOVE YOU!! YOU WILL LIVE ON IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER, AND WE SHALL NEVER FORGET!*~*~*
Very good journaling. An emotional time for thousands of people, everywhere. I wish I could be more disciplined in keeping a journal, I tend to go in spurts with long blank periods!! Jackie <> <
This was a beautiful piece, you did well as always... Love always your friend in Cali ~Michelle~
P.S Thank you for your prayers talked to Mel today and she seems to be doing alot better...:)
The familiar lament of dual-career parents raising children is, "I just can't do it all." The Libra Solution provides an alternative - a more satisfying and sustainable work and life approach - to the overwrought modern day norm.
The familiar lament of dual-career parents raising children is, "I just can't do it all." The Libra Solution provides an alternative - a more satisfying and sustainable work and life approach - to the overwrought modern day norm.
