Remembering 9-11

As most of you know that this week brings many memories back to most people. On Thursday is September 11th. It's hard to believe that 7 yrs ago our world came under attack and we lost so many people. It was a very tragic day and the weeks to follow would be the same.

So as I sit here and think back to that day it seems just like yesterday. We were living in Italy at the time. Michael was here at Sheppard for training. I was home IMing my dear friend Laura (that lived in Italy also). When all of sudden she said to me," The World Trade Center is on fire!" I was like what movie are you watching. Then the phone rang, It was her telling me to go and turn the TV on. I rushed down the stairs, turned the TV on and there it played out for days. I caught the second plane crashing into the World Trade Centers. What a horrible feeling came over me. My very next thought was, "What is going to happen to us?" Then my phone started to ring off the hook. Commanders, First Shirt, Supervisors calling to find Michael. They must have all overlooked the fact that he was here in the states. We were advised to stay in our homes and not go anywhere until further notice. I just remember holding the phone in my hands and tears just falling, feeling so helpless and scared.

Michael finally got through and he said that he was fine and that they were in locked down as well. I told him that I was headed to Laura's for the night. I didn't want to stay in our house by myself with the kids. I remember driving by the base to Laura's house and seeing armed cars at every corner, Police standing out of them, Roadblocks and no entrance to the base was aloud. It was a very scary site to see.

The following days and weeks were so lonely. Since our church was in the middle of a town called Pordenone and people knew that America's went there, we were advised to have church in small numbers at our homes. It was about a month, maybe two, I don't remember before we met back as a whole Branch.

Now today the whole world has changed because of this horrifying act that took place. You can't go to an airport without taking notice to that change. Our dear children will now and forever live in a changed world because of this.

Looking back and thinking back, I can't help but be grateful for the many blessings that I have had come into my life since that day. I can't help but look at an American Flag and get all teary eyed at how beautiful it waves. I can't help but look at a fire truck and think what an honor they are. I can't help look at a our Military and think how proud I am of these Men and Women that serve our country. I am really proud of my Wonderful Dh for serving in the Military and I am proud of my Nephew that left his family for a year to go to Iraq. It's hard not to cry when you hear your children learn the words to the Star Spangled Banner and belt it out!

I am not afraid to say that I AM PROUD TO BE AMERICAN! To all those families that remember this day everyday, May God be with you till you meet your loved ones again!