911 ~ ACTS OF KINDNESS IN THE MIDST OF TRAGEDY

I think we all remember exactly where we were and what we were doing that fateful morning of September 11, 2001. It's etched into our memories as though it were yesterday. And while our hearts continue to ache all these years later, I feel it's important to share the acts of kindness and love that was happening all over the country in the midst of the chaos. I want to share my sis-in-law's memory of that day. She told me her story a couple of years ago while we were in Texas for my son's college football game. It's very moving and speaks to the very heart of sacrificial love, rising up in the worst of times.

I was talking to my sis-in-law, Chasity, about not realizing I'd booked our flight home on 9/11 because let's face it, this is not a day I would purposely choose to fly on. While talking, she shared her memories and the horror of the terrible attack all those years ago. She gave me approval to share part of her story.

She worked for a large hotel right by the Dallas Fort Worth airport. Immediately after the attacks all flights were grounded. She witnessed tons of planes circling overhead, anxiously awaiting the go-ahead to safely land.

The aftermath of the grounded/returning/arriving flights were monumental. People were stranded. Taxi's were overwhelmed attempting to get frantic, confused and distraught people to nearby hotels. The airport called all local hotels and asked if they could send employees in their personal cars to pick people up until their hotel was filled to capacity. My sis-in-law immediately got in her car and headed to help. As she reached the airport, she jumped out and started yelling, "I CAN TAKE YOU!" People swarmed her car, throwing suitcases in the back and piling in on top of one another. As she drove she was shocked to see people walking along the freeway with their luggage in tow, trying to get to a safe place, away from the airport. It was chaos and confusion. My sis-in-law continued to make trips again and again until their hotel was full.

This day is etched in her mind, as it is in each of ours forever. A day when innocent lives were lost and families mourned the unthinkable. A day when people stepped up to do what they could. A day when there was no such thing as a stranger, only people in need and people willing to meet those needs any way they could.

Friends, on this Anniversary of 9/11, may we never forget the love and unselfish giving of so many people right in the midst of our Country's worst tragedy. From the first responders who gave all they had to give...their very live...to the people on the 3rd plane bound for another attack, who saved many by their selfless heroism. Along with ordinary people just like my sis-in law, who saw a need and acted! I'm thankful for her story and while we will never forget, I pray we are always reminded to look for ways to be a Blessing to others daily. 

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."~Romans 12:21

Jump on the Thankful Train...what are you thankful for?

9/11 12 Years Ago Today

Every year as 9/11 rolls around, we all reflect back on that terrible, fateful day. We can remember where we were, what we were doing and feeling the horror of those devastating moments all over again. But this year, I have a whole new perspective. You see in April, I visited the actual sight for the first time. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go at first. It was my very first trip to New York and after taking in the excitement of a city so alive and full of energy, I struggled to decide if I wanted to visit those very real emotions of sadness at the loss of so many lives at the hands of such evil.

 

After wrestling for a while, I decided to go. As I rounded the corner, the first thing that struck me was the close proximity of the fire station to the actual sight.

I couldn't believe it was directly across a small street. It is no wonder that those brave men and women rushed onto the scene, it was their neighborhood, with thousands of people they may have crossed paths with on a daily basis.

We stood in front of the fire station as I snapped some photo's. There was a heavy police presence keeping people off the streets surrounding the sight where the new tower was being built. A girl stepped off the curb onto the street to snap a better shot of the fire station when she was immediately surrounded by police telling her to get back on the sidewalk. Startled and embarrassed she quickly moved back into the crowd. I found it amazing that with the amount of people surrounding the fire station and the memorial wall...there was a very respectful silence. I stood looking at the pictures, reading about the heroes and trying to hold back the tears as the emotions overwhelmed me. Knowing that on 9/11/01, 12 years ago, it began as just another day for those firefighters, everyone in the twin towers and the surrounding areas.

My family and I stood staring in silence, words were not needed, we were all feeling the same thing. I took a moment to silently pray for all the family members of those lost, knowing that a piece of their heart was taken that day.

So today, as I remember my visit to ground zero, I also want to reflect on how we all came together as a country, complete strangers, caring, sharing and lifting one another up in unconditional love in their time of need. What an incredible reminder of the resiliency of people when they are surrounded by love.

MAY WE NEVER FORGET!