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9/11

Today is a day we will never forget. We will never forget where we were, what we were doing, or the feelings brought on as we watched the news in those first few moments. We will never forget hearing President Bush, his voice full of assurance. We will never forget the stories of those lost on that day.

   I was 17 years old and getting ready for my first day of work at the Mexican restaurant I still work at today. We all gathered around the TV in my brothers bedroom and watched as the tragedy played out. I didn't want to go to work. I wanted to go to the fire department I was part of and just be with the guys to watch the news. We knew what some didn't even think about. Those towers would surely fall, and our brothers in the service would continue up those stairs regardless. 343 (I also heard 347, so I'm not sure which is correct) fellow firefighters lost their lives that day. Climbing the stairs with gear, hoses, equipment. Encouraging and helping get everyone out. Thinking in their minds not only of their job, but of their families. You don't go into a scene like that without thinking of your family. I went to work. The towers fell while I was driving. That kind of irritated me because I knew they would fall, and I wanted to watch it happen. See the historic event in full, not watch the recaps later. Customers talked about it. We took turns going back in the back to peek at the TV and see what was going on. The world was never the same again.

     I was sitting here thinking of how christians are killed every day in a majority of countries around the world, just for their faith. I was thinking of how, yes, 343 fireman died that day, thousands of innocent lives lost just for living in America, but wondering how many christians die every day JUST for professing Christ as their Savior. Then the song "God Bless the USA" came into my mind. I changed the words as I thought of how I could have been born in China or North Korea, maybe somewhere in the Middle East where being a christian is enough to get you killed. I was born in small town America, where being a christian is not going to cost you your life. "And I'm blessed to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me." I am blessed to live in this country.

     It is so strange to talk to kids, even my own, who will never remember what happened. They will only know the stories we tell them. It breaks my heart to think of the kids of those who were lost that day. They will never remember their mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, aunt, uncle, brother, or sister. My heart breaks for the events that happened that day.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4

Comments

  1. When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.

    When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

    -Khalil Gibran

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