So I actually started writing this the week Osama Bin Laden was killed but never got around to putting it out. I thought today would be very fitting time seeing that it is 10 years later and all. For me it has made me think a lot about where I was ten years ago when all of the madness occurred.
I was a freshman in college. Talk about a time warp. I remember walking to my 8am sociology class with my friend Kate whose birthday was that day. I was in the furthest dorm from campus, oh the joys of being a freshman, so on my way I walked to her dorm and she joined me on my trek. We were both active and pushed the button a little when it came to walking to class so we were right on time. This 8am sociology class was the thorn in my side from that first semester. Side note: For some reason I would take notes in this class and as soon as I flipped over to the back of the page I started drifting off. It was so bad that I couldn't read anything and had to copy Kate's entire notebook in order to study for my final exam :) Anyways back to the story. When we got out of class at 9:15 I remember walking out of Carroll Hall, the journalism and Mass Communication building and seeing lots of people standing in front of the televisions. We didn't think anything of it, we chalked it up to journalism majors and walked on. Our next stop was the dining hall for a birthday brunch for Kate. We met some others there and then all split off for our 11:00am classes. I still consider myself a naive person at times but this day there was no fighting it. I remember seeing people staring at the TVs while we were at the dining hall too but still thought nothing of it. guess I just go about my life at times and don't notice the things around me. When I got to my English class everyone was talking about it. There were a few of us that had no idea. I remember everyone being on their phones trying to call family and even though we were in NC we were still having problems getting through to our families. Shortly after being in class they released us for the day.
After finally getting in touch with my mom she reminded me that my dad and brother-in-law were renovating a hotel only a few blocks from the Potomac River just across the river from the Pentagon. It took what seemed like forever to get in touch with them to make sure they were OK. They said traffic in DC was at an absolute standstill and it was better to stay where they were rather than go out in it.
What a catastrophic event?!? Why would someone do this? As a 17 year old these were all questions we had been asking. I had only been out of the country once and I did not have any understanding of other countries perceptions or dislikes for Americans. Throughout the years to come I was blessed to be able to see many different countries and cultures. I have come to appreciate the differences in cultures. Through that I have seen that we as Americans are quick to judge and there are many places out there that do not look highly on Americans. With that being said I think everyone should go overseas at some point. Most of all it allows you to see that different things are not necessarily wrong. We so often in our country have the outlook that if it is not the way we are used to it is wrong. I have been challenged to get out of my box and try it another way and to stop being the apathetic being that I had become and easily fall back into.
10 years later... Wow. This brings so many emotions and so much introspection.
Look at where we are now?
1. As a country...
We have placed a huge emphasis on the freedom we have and there is an overwhelming respect for those that constantly fight for our freedom on our soil and overseas. I don't remember seeing military in that way as a child. Now I am so thankful for those in the armed services. You see more people going out of their way to thank military men and women for the job they do. It always makes me tear up when I see a child go up to them and thank them for their service. That child was raised right.
2. Remembering those fallen...
This morning as I watched the memorial services televised to commemorate the 10th anniversary, I was amazed by the feelings this dredged up within my soul. It seemed like the insecurity and fear was back there for a little bit. To see those who lost friends, families, and parents in the attacks on that day really broke my heart. However, it does go to show you that the Lord has provided for them in the time since. They still remember the day and they can now think fondly back on the lives of their loved ones. I will tell you that I am a dramatic person but I do not think I always am open with my emotions. Especially tears, I am not a person who cries during chick flicks I can get sad but I do not usual cry. However, today as I watched the group of newborns or unborn children who lost their fathers on 9/11, I cried. I cried as they showed the children's faces beside their fathers and my dog looked confused by the tears I was releasing. It was something I did not expect but it happened none the less and still as I write of it I am tearing up.
3. Personally...
I can't believe it has been 10 years. 10 years since I started college. Friends have changed, lifestyles have changed, locations have changed, my relationship with the Lord has changed. Everything has changed. I never would have thought at that time that I would have travelled to 7 countries, lived overseas doing mission work, been to Everest base-camp, been a bridesmaid in 6 more weddings, moved to Texas and lived here for almost five years, and still be single, just to name a few. I am content with my life. I am in love with the Lord and I trust that I am here for a reason. My mission in life is to glorify Him by loving Him and making Him known. I am lucky that I have a career that lines up with my personal mission, that in and of itself is a blessing. I am not really sure where I thought I would be now when I was a freshman in college. I don't think I would have told you I would be here, but I am blessed to be where I am. Thank you, Lord!
Thanks to all of those who do their part to keep our homeland and country a place where freedom is valued.
Emmarie
