Saturday, September 11, 2010

"The Little Chapel That Stood" on 9-11-01

If you have been following my blog for a little while now, you know I traditionally post my (Organization) System Saturday post each Saturday.  However, because today's date is Saturday, 9-11-10, I will be reflecting on 9 years ago today...

Where was I when our world and country were forever changed with the tragedies that occurred on September 11, 2001?

I was living in NC and our first child was only 16 months old and I was dropping her off at a Mother's Morning Out program.  I was 8 months pregnant with Baby #2 (we didn't find out that our 2nd was a boy until his birth) and I was looking forward to going on errands for a few hours while my daughter enjoyed some play time with children her age.
When I dropped my daughter off,  I remember my friend mentioning that a plane had just crashed into one of the Twin Towers in NY.  My initial thought was this was a terrible accident.  Then when I was shopping in a children's store everyone was talking about the news coverage.  By this time I called my husband who happened to be home sick from work and I'll never forget him telling me all that was happening so close to home.  "The towers just collapsed," he exclaimed, and like most of the country we were in shock, disbelief, confused, and saddened by what was taking place. 

I remember thinking that I was about to bring another child into this crazy, disordered, and suffering world as the events of 9/11 unfolded.  But, I  know that with new life comes new hope.  I  thought that when my children were old enough,  I would have to tell them what happened on this dark day in history.  But how? 


A few years ago, I found a great children's book about this sad day that Elizabeth Foss at In the Heart of My Home recommended. It is called The Little Chapel That Stood by A.B. Curtiss

Here is the product description from Amazon:

Product Description

St. Paul's Chapel, dwarfed by the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center right across the street, stood strong after the "giants around it had come to a fall" in 9-11. Not a pane of glass had been broken. On 9-11 St.Pauls became a service dept immediately. Firemen hung their shoes on the old iron fence as they "pulled on their boots and raced to the Towers, climbing melting steel to flaming showers. Oh, what gallant men did we lose who never came back to get their shoes."
This historic chapel was built in 1766. When George Washington was inaugurated the first president in New York City, he walked down Broadway to St. Paul's to offer his prayers for the new nation. Alexander Hamilton lies buried in the churchyard nearby. 

So if you have children that were too young at the time to even realize the sadness and severity of 9-11, I highly recommend this beautifully illustrated book that takes such a heart-wrenching and complicated topic down to a level that children can grasp.

We remember and pray today for all the lives that were lost on 9-11 in NY, PA, and at the Pentagon.  We especially remember and pray for the victim's families and friends whose lives have been directly affected and have never been the same. 

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside still waters;
He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths For His Name's sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil;
For you are with me;

Your rod and Your staff - they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, You anoint my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life. And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord My whole life long.
[Psalm 23:1-6; NRSV]



Angela over at Domestic Divapalooza is asking: Where were you on 9/11? What were you doing when you heard what was happening? What were you thinking? How has 9/11 impacted your life? Never Forget 9/11. Share your story. Click here and be sure to go to her blog page and contact her if you would like to share your story.



14 comments:

Unknown said...

I will have to check this book out! I was home and recently "retired" from my job - we were prepping to leave for Russia to bring home our first child. We left shortly thereafter, talk about nervous flying!!!

Britton said...

Great post! I was actually going to post about the very same book in memory and in honor of 9-11. Almost 2 years ago, we visited NYC and actually stood in "The Little Chapel that Stood" and it was truly amazing and put so much of my life into perspective. I came home with that very book and I proudly display it.

Thanks for stopping by my blog this morning. I think I will have to purchase that book for my son. Great Post!


http://mommyonlyhastwohands.blogspot.com/2010/09/remembering-september-11th.html#disqus_thread

I haven't heard of this book will order it right away. I just bought Hands of a child (/11 lap book that I want to do with my kids and this will be a great addition. Thanks for sharing

Mom2Seven said...

Good morning, Tracy. Very nice post. I was pregnant with our fifth child, Hope Maria, when this horrible act of terror happened. We were at daily Mass and had no clue until we stopped by the grocery store on the way home, and even then, I was in complete disbelief thinking the cashiers who told us must be mistaken. I will look into this book for my younger children. Again, good post! May God bless you!

Unknown said...

This post is wonderful. I have been a little solemn all week remembering 9/11/2001. My son doesn't understand why. We have watched some of the programs about it on the History Channel, but he can't grasp the magnitude of what happened that day. This book may help him "get it".

I had a much needed day off from working at my salon that day. I always watched the Today show back then, and had just turned it on when the second plane hit. It was a very emotional day with lots of tears and prayers.

(Thank you for visiting my blog this morning, and of course I voted for you. Every day!)

Angela said...

Thank you for contributing Tracy. You are #25 on my "Never Forget" page. {{{9/11}}}

Hi Jen!
Yes, I can't imagine having to fly so far away during such a scary time! But, I assume the excitement of bringing home your first child helped you get through the nervous feelings!
Have a good weekend and I hope you like the book if you get it!

Hi Britton!
Thanks for your visit and comment :) That's amazing that you were able to buy this book at St. Paul during your visit there! I can't imagine what you were feeling during this visit! I assume it must have been emotional!
Have a good weekend!

Hi Heather!
Thanks for your visit and comment! I hope the book will be helpful if you get it :)
Have a great weekend!

Hi Anna-Marie!
I just sent you an email :) Also, I'm glad the book will be helpful with your lapbook. Could you send me the link to where you got the 9/11 lapbook so I can check it out?
Thanks!

Hi Annita!
What a beautiful name for your fifth child during a time when our nation was searching for signs of hope! Thanks for sharing your story with me about your 9/11 experience. That's wonderful that you began your day with our Lord at Mass. We have the faith that the prayers said during Mass that day helped someone who was in need during this horrific day!
God bless you!

Hi Lynda!
Thanks for your visit and sharing your 9/11 day memories. Yes, I too remember crying alot and feeling so helpless! Many prayers were said also!
Have a good weekend!

Thanks Angela for posting this post to your page :)
Have a good weekend!

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