Thursday, September 11, 2008

How Could We Forget?



As I was growing up, I used to hear my parents and others say things like, "I remember exactly where I was when THIS happened" or "I can tell you exactly what I was doing when THAT happened." "This" and "That", oftentimes, was when JFK was shot or when Elvis died. I often wondered how in the world (or why) such an event would be or could be so engraved into their minds.

On September 11, 2001 that question was answered. We were living in Chattanooga (Hixson actually). Had been there for just over one year when Jeff got a job back in Nashville. He was here working and the boys and I were there trying to sell our home (which is not a good place to be when something like this happens). Jordan had gone to school and I drove Braeden to his Mother's Day Out. I went inside and one of the teachers told me what had happened. It didn't really sink in immediately. I feel so shallow to share that I left the church and drove to the nail salon to get my nails done. It was there, as I waited my turn and watched the television, that I became very scared. I went on back to the MDO to pick Braeden up but couldn't figure out why EVERYONE was getting gasoline. Every station I passed had cars lined up into the street. I called my Mom from my cell phone to ask her what the rush was at the pumps.

Being in Chattanoga without Jeff was always hard but, after this day, it was intolerable. It wasn't much longer until the boys and I made our way to Nashville, staying in a small apartment that Jeff's company was providing until we could purchase a new home.

I recall being so fearful of the new world that we would live in. It IS different now. I am very thankful that I can remember this event so vividly for it has changed me (and all of us I believe) into someone who doesn't take her freedom so lightly and someone who knows that everyday is a gift. I am one who says her pledge of allegiance more proudly than ever before. I pray that I never, never forget.

The images below are some that are so familiar yet so hard to see. I never want to forget these people and their families. I don't want you to forget them either.





3 comments:

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Hi Kelley,
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'd like to visit your room on RMS but the dumb ole search box will not work on RMS...that site is such a mess. Anyway, do me a favor, please. Go to the porch category, click on the Top Rated tab at the top...find my porch...it's usually somewhere in the first few pages and click on my porch and leave me a comment so I can click on your name and get to your RMS site. Otherwise, I don't know how I'll be able to find it. Thanks for you tribute to 911. I sure do remember where I was, too. I was watching the first building on t.v. when the second plane flew in...horrible day and I will never, ever forget!

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Hi Kelley,
If you like, I'll add you to the list of blogs posting a tablescape tomorrow. If you add to or change your tablescape, you can just post it next Tuesday, again. I won't add you to the list unless you comment back that you want to be added. Just let let me know by 11:00 tonight, if you can, since I'll be going to bed then...that is in about an hour, Georgia time. If you want to wait until next Tuesday...that's ok, too. :-) We'll be doing the Tablescape Tuesdays most likely through to the end of the year. Susan

Linda said...

I remember my parents saying the same thing. Where they were exactly when Kennedy was shot. Now to have memories of something so horrible is not too fun. It was a horrible day in American history. Thankfully in an ever changing world our Father remains the same.
Blessings,
Linda