Where Were You?

When I think about 10 years ago, I always think of this song by Alan Jackson. Like most people, I remember where I was and what I did that day and will never forget.

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

Out in the yard with your wife and children

Working on some stage in LA

Did you stand there in shock at the site of

That black smoke rising 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

The heroes who died just doing what they do

Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer

And look at yourself to what really matters

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 that September day

Teaching a class full of innocent children

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 love her

Did you dust off that bible at home

Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened

Close your eyes and not go to sleep

Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages

Speak with some stranger on the street

Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow

Go out and buy you a gun

Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching

And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger

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

 

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

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

The greatest is love

The greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

I had rolled out of bed and gone to an early morning history class. When I got back my roommate’s mom called. I had known Holly since first grade and grew up with her mom around. When I answered our dorm room phone she immediately asked if we had seen the news. I told her no and she said to turn the TV on. That is when I saw it and saw it and saw it again. It seemed so unreal. We watched the footage until it was time to head out to our next class.

Holly and I got on the elevator, with what seemed like 100 other people, and headed down from the 11th floor. By the time others got on, we were almost in two separate corners of the elevator. As the elevator slowed down at the bottom is suddenly dropped, about a foot. I immediately looked over to see my friend and assure her we were okay. It was a crazy feeling to have seen such a tragedy happen on TV and then have our elevator ‘malfunction’ a bit. After walking to class, to find out it was cancelled, I went back ‘home’ to my dorm room to watch the news.

One thing that I remember about this time is the radio station that would play a patriotic song everyday at 5:00. Honestly, I thought it was sad that such a tragic event is what brought everyone together as a nation. Shouldn’t we always want to have ‘God Bless America’ and be ‘Proud to be An American’? I think so and that is why I was sad when we all went back to our regular routines after the numbness wore off.

Saw this on facebook and thought it was well said.

"For the husband who told his wife "I love you" one last time before his plane went down in a field. For the wife who stopped in the stairs to call her husband to say "I will love you forever." For the mothers and fathers who kissed their kids goodbye the morning they died. For the policemen who rushed in with the firemen to help get others out only to die themselves. For the soldiers who fought back and lost their lives. Today, tomorrow, ten years from now, we will remember. "

May all of the husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, cousins, friends, and so on, of those currently serving our country, here or overseas, return safely to those who love them dearly. Words cannot ever express the gratitude a nation feels for their selfless acts.

God Bless America!