Today was slotted for the final installment of the recent “The Rocky in Your Mirror” series.
I’m opting out of writing it for now. It can wait until next week, Lord willing.
As I sat down to write the lock screen on my laptop advertised the time in big, bold numbers:
9:11
It was a stark reminder of a day in our history we wish we did not have to contemplate.
It spoke of today, September 11th, a day in which many of us will opt to Remember.
As we summon our collective conscience and recall the events of September 11, 2001 let us look inward.
More importantly, let us look upward!
It’s been fourteen years since that terrible day and those of us who were adults at the time most assuredly remember where we were and what we were doing when the initial reports of the attacks hit the airwaves.
I was sitting at my desk at work, chatting with a gal across the aisle named Susan. We were both in utter disbelief at what was happening.
“What happened?” and “Who was involved?” were questions swirling in our minds.
Smart phones were not invented so we took to online reports as well as TV and radio broadcasts to seek information.
You most likely have similar memories as well.
My educated guess tells me you can pinpoint with specific detail where you were, what you were doing, and more importantly, what you were feeling.
Our vocabularies were expanded on that particular day with words, phrases, or places we prefer to omit altogether or think of in another context.
The World Trade Center – The Pentagon – A field in rural Pennsylvania.
New York City – Washington DC – Shanksville.
American Airlines Flights 11 and 77, in addition to United Airlines Flights 175 and 93.
Terrorist – al Qaeda – Osama bin Laden – suicide attacks – jihad – hijackers.
Police – Rescue Personnel – Firefighters.
We are at war with an unknown adversary!
The morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001.
Todd Beamer declaring “let’s roll” as he and others made a successful attempt at striking back against the hijackers thereby diverting Flight 93 from its Washington, DC target.
We carry with us images of planes flying into buildings and those buildings collapsing.
Men and women left their homes in the morning to catch a flight or make their way to work.
They kissed their husband or wife good-bye and hugged their children, unsuspecting it was for the last time.
Some may have started their days on the wrong side of the emotional see-saw, leaving the embrace of their loved ones for later that day as they left in a huff.
Those embraces never came to be.
What typically was a time reserved for an early morning meeting at the office was transformed into a time of panic stricken cell phone calls in an attempt to say “I love you” one last time or to let someone know they were “OK”.
Cell communication was majorly impeded as the circuits were jammed.
All aircraft were ordered out of the skies grounding all flights.
Crowds of people descended stairwells in an attempt to survive. Some saw the light of a dark day. Others did not as debris filled the air and the streets below.
The day started with a “business as usual” expectation.
It was anything but “business as usual”.
It was a day which morphed into heartache and loss as a nation.
It was shear horror for the families of the 2,977 innocent people who never returned home – lost sons and daughters, moms and dads, friends and co-workers, as well as rescue personnel who tried to help and in the process sacrificed their own lives.
There were 19 hijackers who sought the supposed martyrdom they were promised never realizing their delusion amidst the aftermath of their dastardly acts.
That day they met their Maker and had to account for their part in the plan.
We are still fighting the fight and the battle has intensified against an enemy bent on our destruction.
Words and phrases like ISIS and “death to America” are on the menu daily.
I know I said I would leave references to the Rocky Series out of today’s equation.
However, a quote from the final movie intended on a personal level seems to fit on the national stage.
“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. It ain’t about how hard you get hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. It’s about how much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!”
As a nation “getting hit” does not adequately describe the pain which was immediately felt and which still lingers..
As a people we are resolute. It is who we are. We get up and we keep moving forward.
However, we deceive ourselves if we think we can go it alone as was evidenced by many who “called on God” during those dark days.
We are reminded that “blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” – a call to now and always look upward as we seek our help from “the Father of lights”.
We are promised this:
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14
Perhaps it is time we take Him up on the offer.
Today, give yourself the opportunity to reflect and take a moment to Remember.
Ask for God’s protection on you and yours.
While you are at it, ask for the same protection on our nation and those who defend it daily.
You may not have a personal connection to those who perished. However, someone does.
Pray for their pain to get easier although it may never go away.
If the opportunity presents itself, reach out to someone who might need your personal touch. In short, care enough to comfort them.
Lastly, don’t take the day you are given for granted.
Tell your husband or wife you love them. Better yet, show them you love them.
Hug your son or daughter and tell them how important they are to you.
Call your Mom or Dad if they are still with you. Let them know you care.
Be grateful to God for His protection and the fact He is “an ever present help in time of trouble.”
A truly moving and beautiful remembrance of a horrific day.