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Wednesday 12 September 2012

I Remember

As September 11 was drawing to a close, I thought of the lessons we learned on that terrible day in 2001.

I was pulling into my parent's driveway, to pick up my dad, when the radio announcer said a plane had struck the twin towers.  I assumed it was a light plane.  My dad was beckoning me to come inside, where the two of us stood and stared at CNN in horror.  We all know how the rest of the day unfolded.



As the day wore on, we felt the intended terror.  My daughter was working in the Canadian financial district. Would they be hit next?  I wanted her out of there!  Another daughter lived near a naval base.  I wanted her out of there!  We were frightened and we grieved for all the lost souls, just as the terrorists wanted us to.

But, they did not teach us the lesson they intended.  Instead, the 49th parallel disappeared and our medical and emergency personnel went to our neighbour's aid.  Every home in Newfoundland opened their doors to stranded airline passengers.  We cried with our neighbours to the south and cheered their courage and endurance.

We held our friends close and our families closer.

Business in my home decor shop dropped off dramatically. ~


For a time, no one cared what their house looked like, only that everyone was safe and snug inside.  The regular customers came in as usual, but they really only wanted to visit as friends.

That day, we learned to love, to appreciate, to care for those we don't know and to value the simple, true things in life.

We learned that the world is a small place and we are, "our brother's keeper".  We will never stop caring about goodness and right.  We will continue to send aid to those in need and speak up for those who can't speak for themselves.  We will be the best people we can be.

Beyond all the terror and the terrible price was was the knowledge that good people, from around the world, will unite against those who try to terrorize others into following their agenda. ~

image compliments of The Graphics Fairy
On this day of the year, I think all those who lost their lives look down on us and sprinkle a little angel dust to remind us of the lessons we learned.  Not once did I turn on a TV or a radio, but the dust drifted down to me and I remembered.    


7 comments:

  1. Oh I honestly can't imagine what you guys went through. I sat up last night with my boys watching a documentary on 9/11. From all your friends Down Under, we remember and God Bless you all

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  2. 9/11 will never be the same - but that horrific crime on humanity brought out the best in humanity at the same time - I try to concentrate on that instead
    Beautiful post Maureen.
    XOX

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  3. What a great post and you are so right...the terrorists did not teach us the lesson they intended! I love that Graphics Fairy image...how appropriate!

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  4. Beautifully said, Maureen. I, too, did not watch any of the ceremonies or anything this year- I just grieved in my heart. Blessings to you- xo Diana

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  5. That was a lovely post Maureen! And you are so right...the strength in North American's is astounding to say the least in times of trouble. xo

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  6. As the horror of 9/11 unfolded on the television, I said to my son, "Life will never be the same from this day on." I was right. But some of the things that have changed are for the good. I know I appreciate others, and especially our neighbours to the south, more than I ever did before. Sometimes I sit in my lovely little backyard and look up at the clear blue sky and I thank the Lord I live in a free country, a country not suffering the ravages of war, a country that has far more good in it than evil. It was 9/11 that brought these feelings into focus for me and I never want that to change.

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  7. I lived in Nova Scotia then, and watched it unfold on TV. Then afterwards, we saw lots of people in and around Halifax who were stranded after their planes had been diverted there. It was surreal.

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