Dear 9/11,
Where were you…….
It started off as a typical Tuesday. Up, shower, dress and
hurry out the house for an 8AM meeting that I was already late for. In the
hustle of grabbing my things, while harassing one roommate and waking up the
other so she wouldn't be late for work, I failed to turn on the radio per my
routine as I got dressed and repeated this mistake with the TV as I was
grabbing a quick bite out of the fridge. Just a little after 6AM my phone
started ringing. Being that this was the beginning of fall and most of my
growers that I took care of as an agronomist were busy with harvest, it was
unusual to receive a call at this hour. Glancing at the screen on the best flip
phone with horrible service money could buy (thank you Nextel) it was my
mother. Now the only time my mother calls is for two things: To nag and to nag
some more. Seeing that it was her I let it go to voice mail. Placing my phone
down on the counter I went back to my morning routine only to be interrupted by
a ringing phone once more. It was again my mother. This process repeated itself
once more before I picked up the phone to see what was so important this early
in the morning. Before I could answer with my customary greeting for her, “What
do you want?” she was screaming that we were being bombed. She repeated this
over and over hysterically (and those of you who know Kathy, know she has
cornered the market on hysterical) before I could get in a word edge wise. Upon
calming down, I asked her just what the hell she was talking about. She then
informed me to turn on the TV and as I scrambled for the remote and hit the
power button the scene that was being played out before my eyes could only be
described as something out of a Michael Bay movie. I screamed at my roommates
to get in the living room as we witnessed the 2nd plane hit the
towers. As we watched the terror unfold, news reports were sketchy with talks
of other planes hitting landmarks and bombs being placed in schools, I abruptly
told my mother I loved her, hung up the phone and called friends in Chico to
make sure they were alright. As the day played out and the information on what
had actually happened became more concrete, the emotions of disgust, hate,
anger, retaliation, sadness, etc. overwhelmed me like most Americans. President
Bush took to the airwaves to address the nation on the tragedy that had
unfolded earlier in the day. His historic words reassured myself and the rest
of the nation why the United States is the greatest country in the world:
“Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest
buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter
steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted
for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in
the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.” – George W. Bush
13
years later the words of this iconic address still stands true. From Al Qaeda
to the current threat from ISIS we are a country that despite our differences, stand
united when it comes to one thing….America. God Bless…..
PS.
I only have three words for you to remember on this day….NEVER FORGET. Merica.
#9/11
#America #neverforget #UnitedStates #empireliving
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