Where were you?

I always have such a hard time writing a blog post on this day. The right words to express my feelings seem to escape me. On this day I just want to use this blog of mine to pause, reflect, and remember. Part of me still can't believe that day happened. 

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Where were you?

I can still vividly remember even the smallest details of that day. I had just turned 13 and was in 7th grade. During my 1st period class I went for a routine trip to the bathroom to brush my hair and apply some more lip gloss. Typical 13 year old. On the way back to my class I found it odd that the custodians were all gathered in a spare classroom and watching the news. I didn't see what the were watching but now I know they were watching the first tower burn and would soon see the second tower get hit. 

The principal made an announcement at some point during that morning about the attacks. I don't remember exactly when I heard but I do remember traveling to my second class of the day and my teacher wheeling a television cart into the room. We watched as the towers burned for several minutes before the principal came to order my teacher turn the TV off. She argued with him saying it was news that we needed to see. The TV stayed put. 

Later in the afternoon I was in tennis class as my classmates and I noted that the sky was empty. Living in a suburb of DFW located near the DFW airport our skies were never without planes. The lack of air traffic was eerie. 

That evening my dad, brother, and I went to the track to walk and run. The sunset that evening was gorgeous, the sky was full of pinks, reds, and oranges. It seemed to glow. I remember turning my back from the sunset for only a few seconds and when I turned back around the color had escaped the sky and the horizon was grey. It reminded me how our seemingly perfect world was interrupted that day and we were all thrown into a gruesome new reality.

Once we returned home my family and I sat glued to the television. My Aunt came over that evening and we all watched as President George Bush addressed the nation. For weeks we watched the continuous coverage.

This year as I reflect on the events of September 11th, 2001 I have a completely different attitude. All because of one tiny little person that entered my world last year. 

She is so innocent and pure. 

She has no idea of the hatred that our world possess. 

If only I could keep her as protected as she is now. 

My arms are her favorite place in the world, when she is hurt I can make everything all better with some silly faces and a few minutes of nursing, she is only exposed to kind people and is surrounded by those who love her. If only she didn't have to grow up in a world full of truely evil people. For now I will take comfort in the fact that she is sleeping peacefully in her bed and I can put these worries to rest for another night.