Sunday, September 11, 2011
10 Years Ago Today: My Memories of 9.11.01
Today's date is Sunday, 9-11-11. I don't remember what I was doing yesterday 10 years ago, but I remember exactly where I was 10 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.
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:
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.
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]
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]
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I'm Tracy. I love my faith, family and on most days, homeschooling my 5 blessings. When I'm not busy baking cakes for my family or making memories in real life or dreaming I had a housekeeper or professional chef, I enjoy documenting a slice of Smith life in blog land.
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6 comments:
I was pregnant with my first and that morning I felt her kick for the very first time. Then I went to work and watch with horrors the news. I was so scared bringing a child into the world too:( I read that book to my children and started to cry so my daughter had to finish reading it. We are going to a memorial/remembrance on base today and I hope to post about it later today. Voted for you today:)
Hi Tracy. We were at daily Mass when it happened. Afterwards we stopped by the grocery store, and the people in the store were talking about it. I was in disbelief until we got home, and I turned on the news. I, too, was pregnant with our fifth child, Hope. I remember going to bed that night just terrified. My brother-in-law had been at the Twin Towers only a few days before on business. After many years of indifference to religion, he joined RCIA and is now a devoted Catholic husband and father. God bless, Annita
We have been reading this book this week and it really does do a good job of explaining this awful day.
I was pregnant with my son, and enjoying a much needed day off from work. My morning turned from joy to horror within minutes of hearing the news.
I watched everything unfold in utter shock and sadness. It's amazing how questions of bringing a child into this crazy world crossed our minds. My prayer is that we will give them hope and love to overcome these horrible memories.
Thank you for sharing the book you found to help your children understand. I'm definitely looking into getting it for my son.
God bless you and your family today.
What a great post. I was in college, a sophomore when this happened. I remember going into my room after class let out and seeing my roomate mesmerized by the television. Such an unforgettable day. I will have to check out that children's book.
Looks like a great book...might have to get it! Thanks!