There are events in your life that you live through, and don't take an extra minute to think about. Then there are those that mark you forever, and no matter what you do, you'll never forget. Maybe because there was extreme happiness attached, or maybe fierce pain, no matter the reason, you just never forget.
Then, there are those events that change you. They just do.
Tuesday, September 11, 2001 was one was of those moments. It's a day you can talk about and almost everyone you speak to gets that look in their eye, and you know that it changed them too. It's something that 90% of us had nothing to do with, but 100% of us will never forget.
I remember like it was yesterday. I was doing my student teaching at Walt Disney Elementary School. We were in a before school meeting and another teacher walked into the meeting and said, "Some idiot just flew a plane into the World Trade Center." I remember there being a nervous bubble of laughter and a lot of shaking heads about the stupidity of it all. The room we were in happened to have a TV, so as we were watching, it wasn't long after that we watched the other tower get struck with yet another plane.
I remember the room turning ice cold, and the silence was deafening. It hit each and everyone of us at that moment that "some idiot" didn't hit the trade center by accident. It was a plan. And it was scary. I'll never forget the 10 or so people in that room just staring at one another. Finally, the principal looked at us and said "We've got kids coming, and they can't know the world is falling apart outside our doors." Something that marked me as a student teacher. Something that I have held onto in all of my teaching career. I knew in that moment, that whatever happened that day, whatever was going on, I had a classroom full of 3rd graders that needed to believe they were safe.
As I went into the classroom, my supervising teacher went into the lounge where the television was telling the story. She came in about every 10 minutes throughout the entire day with updates about what was going on. With every update, she ended saying, "Keep smiling, they're counting on you." Easier said than done.
Never have I been so thankful to send my kids to specials as I was that day. I needed to hear that my brother in law who is a pilot for United was home and safe. After many phone calls to both sisters and other family members, we did discover he was home, so a huge sigh of relief was expelled.
Throughtout the following days, I remember hearing stories, being stuck to the TV and radio, crying for the wounded and praying for the families. I remember it all.
It's funny how things change you. How an event can mark you forever. September 11, 2001 sure did. I'll never forget.
"Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)"
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or working on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Risin' against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry?
Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out in pride for the red, white and blue
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters?
[Chorus:]
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell
you the difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you teaching a class full of innocent children
Or driving down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?
Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Or speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Or go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
Did you stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love?
[Repeat Chorus 2x]
And the greatest is love.
And the greatest is love.
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or working on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Risin' against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry?
Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out in pride for the red, white and blue
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters?
[Chorus:]
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell
you the difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you teaching a class full of innocent children
Or driving down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?
Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Or speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Or go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
Did you stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love?
[Repeat Chorus 2x]
And the greatest is love.
And the greatest is love.
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?
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