Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?

Ten years ago today I was in fifth grade and first heard about the terrorist attacks from my classmates. Several of them were talking about how it was probably the Japanese getting us back for World War II. They were also talking about how we might be at risk because we had the national laboratory in our town. I remember that one of my good friends was genuinely terrified for her dad's safety when he returned to work. School was closed early and all the students were sent home. It was then that my parents explained that it had nothing to do with Japan and I learned about a part of the world that I don't think I had ever heard of before, but would hear about for years to come as the war on terror began. For the rest of the day and for days to come we were tuned in to the news and listening to all the developments. There were a lot of stories and personal accounts told. For some reason the story that I most remember is of a little girl who was with her parent on the way to one of the World Trade Centers but was hungry and wanted to stop for a sandwich. For that reason they were not in the tower when it was hit. I remember when I heard that story that my dad told me that the Lord touches the hearts of the little children.

Despite all the awful things that were happening with 9/11 and all of the deaths, missing people, and split up families, the stories that I remember most are the ones of the simple, heroic things that ordinary people did during this tragic time. I remember stories of people on the airplanes who risked their life to try to stop the hijackers. I remember stories of people who helped others, including the handicapped, down the staircases in front of them even though it meant they might not get out in time, instead of pushing their way to the front in a fight for survival. I remember stories of firefighters and police officers sacrificing their lives to try to save others. I think that in the world now there is a lot of talk of the evil of human nature and of all the cruel or selfish things people do. But in a crisis like 9/11 where evil acts are very apparent, there is also seen the good of humanity through the selfless acts of countless people. In an intense crisis fueled by fear, where no one would have blamed a person of thinking of only saving themselves, people stopped and thought of others. They didn't gain recognition or praise for their acts and in many cases lost their life, but they still did it.

The United States has changed so much since that fateful day 10 years ago. Security measures have forever changed, especially at the airport, but I think it has made America more patriotic and unified as well. It is crazy to think that kids growing up now never experienced 9/11, but they are definitely living with the effects of it. It is going to be something that will never be forgotten and that my kids will learn about in history textbooks. It is kind of crazy to think that I experienced it.

Here is a video dedicated to the heroes and victims of 9/11 with the song by Alan Jackson that I like called "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?"