365 Project. Day 254, September 11: I'm making a rare exception to the "I have to take the picture myself for this project" rule. Because today marks a very important anniversary, and I want it included in the measly legacy of this photo project.
I will never forget that morning 14 years ago. It was one of those rare occasions where I was actually up early, specifically for the purpose of praying and spending a little time with the Lord before the day started. It was also one of only a handful of times in my life where I felt a sudden, specific, urgent leading from the Holy Spirit to pray for our country, its leaders, and for safety. I was in the middle of doing just that when the phone rang, and Brian, who was already at work, told me to turn on the television. One of the Twin Towers was in flames, apparently from a random plane crash.
It's been so long now that I can't remember whether I actually was watching when news broke of the second plane hitting the second tower. This was a game changer. It was no longer a fluke accident. We were under attack. Along with most of the country, I watched in horror, hardly able to comprehend what I was seeing. Would there be more attacks? Would anything happen near us? Was anyone really safe?
Later, Jennifer, who was only three at the time, saw me watching the terrible images on TV and asked what was happening. I told her that some people were attacking a city in our country that was far away from us, and trying to hurt us. She paused and said, "That is very, very, very sad." I had to turn the TV off after that, to shield us both a little from life's ugliness.
The silence of the skies for the next few days was deafening. No planes in the sky. Just news news news news. Images. Horror on television.
I still can't see a picture or video from that terrible day without getting that same wrenching in my gut - the feeling of overwhelming dread, fear and hopelessness that I felt that morning.
More than 3,000 lives were lost that day. I can only look forward to a day when my good God will make all of this right again. Until then, I remember.
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