I was walking on a treadmill at Fitness Today Lady watching TV when the program switched to live coverage of a plane hitting one of the Twin Towers. I turned to my friend Sheila and said "that's not just an accident". We both watched in horror as the 2nd plane was shown hitting the other tower. I got off the treadmill and called Tim and told him to put Fox News on. Then Sheila and I both left the gym. I got home in time to watch the towers fall. The overwhelming sadness and fear eventually gave way to determination to restore our lifestyles and our sense of well being. As the stories came out, there was such a sense of pride in our nation! The sacrifices and the bravery were amazing.
Over the next couple of weeks, we stayed glued to the news and also tried to keep things 'normal' for the kids. We would talk about the things they heard during the day at school and try to clear things up if they were given wrong or vague information.
At a soccer game several weeks after the attack, we all stood and watched a plane fly over - realizing that we hadn't seen one in so long. It brought to mind all that we take for granted living in this country - things that we felt we were 'entitled' to have instead of being grateful for our many blessings.
8 years later we have a 'new normal' - making sure we live free - but at the same time be aware of what is going on.
“Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children. “
- President George W. Bush, November 11, 2001
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