Where Were You?

"Where were you when the world stopped turnin'
That September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or workin' on some stage in L.A.?…" -Alan Jackson

As the US honors those lost in the 9/11 attacks, we are drawn to this sentiment..."where were you?" This is my story.

16 years ago I was at my botfriend's house and had woken up early with my 5 month old daughter. We got up and I watched a few reruns before setting the baby up with some toys so I could grab a quick shower. It was about 10am pacific time and I had to get ready as I had classes at 1 about an hour north....directly across from the airport.

I got out of the shower and when I went back to the living room, my boyfriend asked why I hadn't woken him up. Now, he wasn't the type of person who liked being woken up and as he worked a swing shift, didn't need to be up. A little confused, I asked why I would wake him up...and I turned toward the TV. I couldn't make sense of it at first, but once it hit me, I was afraid. I quickly called school to say I would not be in, but was met with a recording saying that classes had been canceled. I clung to my infant, afraid of what her future might look like. Would the attacks continue? Would there be war? Would we all be safe? She was so tiny and innocent and I couldn't imagine her growing up in a world where people would fly jetliners into buildings with the intent of killing as many people as possible.

My daughter is now 16 (and 5 months) and the world again feels on the verge of war and that same sulferic fear is bubbling up, as I wonder what is this world my children will be navigating with so much hated and destruction?

I pray that as I guide them towards adulthood, that I teach them to be light in the dark. To be loving and kind and to help those in need rather than to love war and desecration.

"Where were you when the world stopped turnin'
That September day?" - Alan Jackson

Image courtesy of Pixabay