Reported by The Associated Press
September 10, 2010
President Barack Obama is asking the country to observe the Sept. 11 anniversary as a day of "service and remembrance." He says Americans should find a way to serve their fellow citizens and rekindle the spirit of unity and common purpose felt in the wake of the 2001 terror attacks.
Obama spoke at a White House news conference Friday, a day ahead of the ninth anniversary of the attacks.
He said Saturday will be a day to commemorate not only heartbreak, but also the "enduring values and resilient spirit" of America.
Our "Day of Service" began a few weeks ago as our Stake organized humanitarian efforts to be carried out today. We collected and donated non perishable food, toiletries, and money to be used for new paint for Open House Ministries, a fantastic shelter here in Vancouver that helps families by not only providing them a home, but helping them find work and get on their feet so they can move on to their own home. A few representatives from our church took the donated items/money to Open House Ministries today.
Today, our "Day of Service" began by my family allowing me to SLEEP IN!!! I didn't wake up until after 9am!!! It was wonderful!!! Then, Ryan made us all breakfast. I felt spoiled. :)
This afternoon, though, I baked 6 loaves of zucchini bread, made with zucchini fresh out of my garden, and took five of the loaves over to our neighbors. (We did keep one loaf - how could we handle the delish smell and not keep ANY for ourselves??? lol) Two of the neighbors are relatively new and I hadn't met yet, so it was a great way to introduce our family.
The rest of the day will be pretty much your typical Saturday. Do some housecleaning, have family time, get ready for Sunday. I think we've started it off pretty nice, though. :)
Showing posts with label 9/11. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 9/11. Show all posts
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Remember
President Spencer W. Kimball said that perhaps the most important word is "remember".
I don't think any of us can forget. And I hope we never do. I hope we always remember how united we became, how we stood together and were strong. We have forgotten some of that, to some degree, so I'm glad we take time to remember on this day.
(Turn up your volume, the sound quality isn't that great.)
I remember how it felt to see the plane hit the second tower and to realize that this was no accident. I remember how I sank to my knees in shock. I remember praying with my family for all of the people on the planes and in the towers.
Then the Pentagon was attacked. And I remember wondering where else they might hit? Planes were grounded. One was missing. And then we learned about United Airlines Flight 93's heroic acts which prevented even more devastation. Those brave men and women fought to save others' lives, knowing that they would not survive themselves.
I remember all of the flags - everywhere! So many people wanting to give blood. I remember our landlord (a firefighter) going down to NYC (we lived in Massachusetts at the time) to help. I remember the brotherhood he felt for his fellow firefighters in NYC.
I remember understanding that things would change in our world because of this attack. Realizing that travel would change, security would change, and realizing that someday that would feel normal.
I remember the support we received from around the world. The tributes, the signs, the candles. I remember one sign that said, "Today we are all Americans."
I remember loving my country and being proud of what she stands for. Even knowing that this made us a target, I felt grateful that we stood for something so good and right and true that no attack, no terrorist, could change that. I remember the intense determination that we all felt to prove that we would overcome and emerge an even stronger nation.
I don't like looking at the images, reliving those moments, thinking about the suffering of those who were there and experiencing it all. I don't like hearing the stories of people who have lost their loved ones and are left behind, their lives changed forever. I don't like thinking about how a group of people could commit such horrible acts in the name of religion.
But I pray I never forget.
I don't think any of us can forget. And I hope we never do. I hope we always remember how united we became, how we stood together and were strong. We have forgotten some of that, to some degree, so I'm glad we take time to remember on this day.
(Turn up your volume, the sound quality isn't that great.)
I remember how it felt to see the plane hit the second tower and to realize that this was no accident. I remember how I sank to my knees in shock. I remember praying with my family for all of the people on the planes and in the towers.
Then the Pentagon was attacked. And I remember wondering where else they might hit? Planes were grounded. One was missing. And then we learned about United Airlines Flight 93's heroic acts which prevented even more devastation. Those brave men and women fought to save others' lives, knowing that they would not survive themselves.
I remember all of the flags - everywhere! So many people wanting to give blood. I remember our landlord (a firefighter) going down to NYC (we lived in Massachusetts at the time) to help. I remember the brotherhood he felt for his fellow firefighters in NYC.
I remember understanding that things would change in our world because of this attack. Realizing that travel would change, security would change, and realizing that someday that would feel normal.
I remember the support we received from around the world. The tributes, the signs, the candles. I remember one sign that said, "Today we are all Americans."
I remember loving my country and being proud of what she stands for. Even knowing that this made us a target, I felt grateful that we stood for something so good and right and true that no attack, no terrorist, could change that. I remember the intense determination that we all felt to prove that we would overcome and emerge an even stronger nation.
I don't like looking at the images, reliving those moments, thinking about the suffering of those who were there and experiencing it all. I don't like hearing the stories of people who have lost their loved ones and are left behind, their lives changed forever. I don't like thinking about how a group of people could commit such horrible acts in the name of religion.
But I pray I never forget.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
United
I have only a few short minutes and so, I would like to direct you to my friend, Millie's post today which contains a letter written the day after the attacks.
Reading that letter really reminded me of all the feelings I had during that time and the feeling of strength and unity that were abundant, even amid the feelings of shock, pain, and loss. I think it is important to remember that we all have more in common than what divides us. And when it comes down to it, we all hope for the same things. I think that is one of the biggest reasons why it is important that we remember days like today, to put things back into perspective and to reunite ourselves.
Reading that letter really reminded me of all the feelings I had during that time and the feeling of strength and unity that were abundant, even amid the feelings of shock, pain, and loss. I think it is important to remember that we all have more in common than what divides us. And when it comes down to it, we all hope for the same things. I think that is one of the biggest reasons why it is important that we remember days like today, to put things back into perspective and to reunite ourselves.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
What I remember and what I learned.
There are only so many moments in my life that I remember EXACTLY where I was at a precise moment. I remember exactly where I was on January 1st, 1994 at 12:01 am when I met my husband, where I was on December 24, 1995 at roughly 11pm when he proposed to me, of course the moment that I married and the moments my daughters were born... And then, September 11, 2001 at about 8:45 am as I sat playing the piano when Ryan burst through the front door and told me to turn on the news.
We were living in Massachusetts at the time and everything seemed to hit closer to home. I remember feeling humbled and horrified. I remember dropping to our knees as a family to pray once we saw the second tower hit and we realized it was not an accident but an attack.
I remember the odd feeling of seeing an airplane fly overhead for the first time in days later that week. I remember realizing that while life would go on, it would never be "normal" again - we would have to create a new "normal".
I remember how strong we all became, how united we were! I remember there were flags EVERYWHERE! I remember how people were reaching out to strangers, being kind to others.
It has been six years now. What have we learned? Well, there are lots of things that we've learned about our attackers and there are lots of things we've learned about safety. We've even learned a lot about how buildings are made and what will make them stronger and safer.
But what have I learned? I think I've learned that no one is immune and we shouldn't take a single day for granted. I have learned that we shouldn't have to wait for a disaster to become united or to reach out to others. I have learned that we are stronger when we stand together and we can overcome anything if we stick together. I have learned to be grateful for those serving our country and risking their lives to keep me safe. I have learned to trust God a little more, to realize that sometimes horrible things are going to happen but that He is still here wth us if we will allow it - and that we NEED to allow it! I have learned that anyone can be a hero and that being a hero doesn't necessarily mean you go looking to save the world, but more that when a crisis happens, you fight as best as you can to do what is right and to help as much as you can. I have learned to not take for granted the many, MANY blessing I have been given in life - perhaps most importantly my family and friends, my faith, and living in a free country where I can live how I want without fear.
We were living in Massachusetts at the time and everything seemed to hit closer to home. I remember feeling humbled and horrified. I remember dropping to our knees as a family to pray once we saw the second tower hit and we realized it was not an accident but an attack.
I remember the odd feeling of seeing an airplane fly overhead for the first time in days later that week. I remember realizing that while life would go on, it would never be "normal" again - we would have to create a new "normal".
I remember how strong we all became, how united we were! I remember there were flags EVERYWHERE! I remember how people were reaching out to strangers, being kind to others.
It has been six years now. What have we learned? Well, there are lots of things that we've learned about our attackers and there are lots of things we've learned about safety. We've even learned a lot about how buildings are made and what will make them stronger and safer.
But what have I learned? I think I've learned that no one is immune and we shouldn't take a single day for granted. I have learned that we shouldn't have to wait for a disaster to become united or to reach out to others. I have learned that we are stronger when we stand together and we can overcome anything if we stick together. I have learned to be grateful for those serving our country and risking their lives to keep me safe. I have learned to trust God a little more, to realize that sometimes horrible things are going to happen but that He is still here wth us if we will allow it - and that we NEED to allow it! I have learned that anyone can be a hero and that being a hero doesn't necessarily mean you go looking to save the world, but more that when a crisis happens, you fight as best as you can to do what is right and to help as much as you can. I have learned to not take for granted the many, MANY blessing I have been given in life - perhaps most importantly my family and friends, my faith, and living in a free country where I can live how I want without fear.
Monday, September 11, 2006
5 Years Ago
Like so many others, my thoughts are about 9/11 today. I don't really want to dwell on it too much but I don't ever want to forget either.
We will all remember just where we were and exactly what we were doing when we first heard there had been an attack on American soil. We were living on the East Coast. I was playing the piano. "Beloved" by Daid Lanz. I love that song. I was waiting for Ryan to get home from working the night shift and Acadia and I were going to go to play group. Then Ryan burst through the front door and said, "Turn on the news!" He wasn't exactly sure what was happening, just that something was going on at one of the WTC towers. We turned on the Today Show. Everyone was still very confused. No one was even thinking "terrorists" yet - everyone thought it was a freak accident. Then we watched live as the second plane hit. At that point it was clear, this was no accident. I remember sinking to sit down and I remember saying outloud, "We are under attack!" I knew that my/our world would never be the same.
We knelt down as a family and prayed. We felt so helpless, there was nothing else we could really do. Then we kept watching.
I remember the Today Show was talking to Jim (I can't spell his last name but they often call him "Mic"). He is often on their program. He was at the Pentagon and while he was talking there was a loud noise and he said that something had just happened there. For awhile no one knew for sure, but soon we learned that a plane had been flown into it as well. Maybe it was silly, but I started to think of that movie, Independance Day. I was scared that all the major cities were going to be targeted and that it would just never end. Soon after, the news was reporting how many planes were unaccounted for and we all learned about Flight 93.
I watched as the towers fell, horrified at the idea of all the police and firefighters who had been safe outside but ran in to help save others. I was shocked at the images of all the rubble and the thick dust everywhere. I was amazed at how far the damage reached - all the buildings in the area that were destroyed as well.
We watched, unable to not watch, all day. The reports of long lines of people donating blood... the reports of empty hospitals - so few survivors to benefit from their donations. The crowds of people searching the boards where names and pictures were posted of missing people. It was such a sad day, emotionally draining.
All airlines were grounded. Not a single airplane allowed to fly. I remember later that week, looking up in the sky to see an airplane shortly after that grounding was lifted. It was an odd feeling. For weeks (maybe months) later, whenever I saw a trail behind an airplane, my heart jumped a little. Then I would remind myself that white trails behind planes are normal.
9/11... It was a day that did change everything. I remember wondering how life could possibly return to normal. What would "normal" be after this? Yet, life has gone on. 5 years later: we've moved to the West Coast, Cadi has started school, we've had another child, we have traveled - out of the country even (if Canada counts as "out of the country", lol), we carry on with our day-to-day lives. We do often think of the events of that day and the days following and we've accepted it, and the changes that have occured because of it, as part of our world today. We no longer pretend that it couldn't happen to us. We are sad but we are hopeful too. There is still much joy in the world. Many good people and many good things.
It is important that we never forget. And it is important that while we remember, we also continue on living and finding joy in our lives and in the world around us.
We will all remember just where we were and exactly what we were doing when we first heard there had been an attack on American soil. We were living on the East Coast. I was playing the piano. "Beloved" by Daid Lanz. I love that song. I was waiting for Ryan to get home from working the night shift and Acadia and I were going to go to play group. Then Ryan burst through the front door and said, "Turn on the news!" He wasn't exactly sure what was happening, just that something was going on at one of the WTC towers. We turned on the Today Show. Everyone was still very confused. No one was even thinking "terrorists" yet - everyone thought it was a freak accident. Then we watched live as the second plane hit. At that point it was clear, this was no accident. I remember sinking to sit down and I remember saying outloud, "We are under attack!" I knew that my/our world would never be the same.
We knelt down as a family and prayed. We felt so helpless, there was nothing else we could really do. Then we kept watching.
I remember the Today Show was talking to Jim (I can't spell his last name but they often call him "Mic"). He is often on their program. He was at the Pentagon and while he was talking there was a loud noise and he said that something had just happened there. For awhile no one knew for sure, but soon we learned that a plane had been flown into it as well. Maybe it was silly, but I started to think of that movie, Independance Day. I was scared that all the major cities were going to be targeted and that it would just never end. Soon after, the news was reporting how many planes were unaccounted for and we all learned about Flight 93.
I watched as the towers fell, horrified at the idea of all the police and firefighters who had been safe outside but ran in to help save others. I was shocked at the images of all the rubble and the thick dust everywhere. I was amazed at how far the damage reached - all the buildings in the area that were destroyed as well.
We watched, unable to not watch, all day. The reports of long lines of people donating blood... the reports of empty hospitals - so few survivors to benefit from their donations. The crowds of people searching the boards where names and pictures were posted of missing people. It was such a sad day, emotionally draining.
All airlines were grounded. Not a single airplane allowed to fly. I remember later that week, looking up in the sky to see an airplane shortly after that grounding was lifted. It was an odd feeling. For weeks (maybe months) later, whenever I saw a trail behind an airplane, my heart jumped a little. Then I would remind myself that white trails behind planes are normal.
9/11... It was a day that did change everything. I remember wondering how life could possibly return to normal. What would "normal" be after this? Yet, life has gone on. 5 years later: we've moved to the West Coast, Cadi has started school, we've had another child, we have traveled - out of the country even (if Canada counts as "out of the country", lol), we carry on with our day-to-day lives. We do often think of the events of that day and the days following and we've accepted it, and the changes that have occured because of it, as part of our world today. We no longer pretend that it couldn't happen to us. We are sad but we are hopeful too. There is still much joy in the world. Many good people and many good things.
It is important that we never forget. And it is important that while we remember, we also continue on living and finding joy in our lives and in the world around us.
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Patriots Day
It seems hard to believe it has been 3 years since 9/11. At the time, it seemed almost impossible for life to go on at all. We knew that even as we recovered, life would never be the same again. And that has remained true. Our lives changed. And even though we move on and continue living each day fulfilling our normal duties and participating in our normal activities, things will never be completely "normal" again.
I still sometimes stop and remember as I see an airplane fly over my head or when I hear a firetruck's siren. Whenever I see a movie or TV show that takes place in NYC I search for the towers. If the Today Show starts on a bright, clear day I remember how bright and clear that day had begun. We stand in longer lines at the airport, sporting events, amusement parks, and more. If I see a flag at half staff, I search my mind for the reason why, hoping that it isn't because another attack has happened while I was out doing errands.
Things will never return to "normal", but we have changed our definition of "normal" to seem that they have.
I still sometimes stop and remember as I see an airplane fly over my head or when I hear a firetruck's siren. Whenever I see a movie or TV show that takes place in NYC I search for the towers. If the Today Show starts on a bright, clear day I remember how bright and clear that day had begun. We stand in longer lines at the airport, sporting events, amusement parks, and more. If I see a flag at half staff, I search my mind for the reason why, hoping that it isn't because another attack has happened while I was out doing errands.
Things will never return to "normal", but we have changed our definition of "normal" to seem that they have.
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