In Memory

Ten year's ago America became victim to one of the saddest events in history.  Thousands died, millions dramatized, and everyone changed.  I lost a part of myself that day, I think we all did.  We no longer felt safe.  I was attending college, I was still living at home at the time and my mother and I were on our way to campus when we heard about the first plane hitting the twin towers.  I remember asking my Mom "is this for real?" As we arrived to BYU we tried to get on the Internet to see what was going on.  The server was too busy and we ended up huddling around a computer of a co-worker of my Mother's as we watched the second plane hit.  I was in class when I learned the first tower fell.  My professor turned on the TV and we all watched as the second tower fell shortly after.  We all sat there shocked.  I remember being in class and learning of a former student whose Dad worked next to the towers.  She had not heard of the attacks until she arrived in class. Many huddled around her offering support as she desperately tried to find the whereabouts of her father.  I stood and watched not knowing what to say or do to help.  All I could do was just stand there numb but praying.  Relief overcame all of us when we learned her father was sick that day and didn't end up going to work. I remember walking around campus and we looked at each other all wondering if we should feel safe and what we should do.  It was such a somber feeling.  Students gathered around TV's and computers as we all wondered what this meant to each one of us and what was going to happen next.  We learned of the Pentagon and the other plane.  The world as I knew it seemed to be in utter chaos and no one new what to do about it.  The weeks that followed were hard.  Life went on like it always did but it wasn't the same.
My heart continues to go out to those who lost a loved one that day.  May we always remember those who served diligently in rescuing others.  May we hold or little ones a little longer, be a little kinder, and love a little stronger.