Remembering

Today the kids were full of questions about 9/11. They are too young to remember it at all. So we talked about what happened, what has happened since then and so forth. They both had a hard time grasping how anyone could be evil enough to do such a thing. As a mom, it was hard seeing them realize how bad people can be. :( They both asked what I remember, what were they doing? I remember Paul was up getting ready for work and the phone rang. It was his mom telling him to turn on the tv. I had heard the phone and got up, he motioned at me to turn on the tv. I never in my life imagined that I would be watching what I watched. The plane going into the building. Breaking news, after breaking news. Was it real? Was it a horrible hoax? Then realizing it was real. Paul went into work. I didn't see him until two days later. They put the whole reserve center in lockdown. For months afterward, they had round the clock security, he brought home alot of overtime pay, but it was bittersweet. We would rather have not had to do what they had to do, because of what happened. I remember vaguely turning the tv to kids programming and going about getting Jacob ready for his day at kindergarten. One of the ladies in our condo complex was tying black ribbons around all the lamp posts, Jacob wondered why as we walked to the bus stop. I was really afraid to send him to school that day, but Paul said go about the day as usual. I remember that evening there was a candlelight vigil out on the basketball court that was outside our back door. Because Paul was not home, I could not participate, the kids were in bed, so I watched out the sliding door. I couldn't believe the number of people who came out to pray, and sing, and be just quiet in the darkness and candle light. I remember phone call after phone call asking if Paul would be sent to "war". I remember feeling scared and hopeful at the same time. It took along time to feel normal again, yet normal was somehow different. It was hard to put it all into words for the kids today. They wrote out prayers for their journal. They prayed for the families that lost loved ones 7 years ago. I think they were concerned, but not totally understanding. I hope they never have to understand to that magnitude ever.

There was alot of red, white and blue out today as we ran a couple of errands. The flags were at half mast when we drove by the neighborhood school and spurred quite the conversation. It was a good conversation, yet sad at the same time.

We remember those who lost their lives, those who forever had their lives changed. We pray that they have Jesus in their lives, the Comforter of all comforters.

Be blessed!