I've been trying to get a grip on my feelings about this, the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and United 93. I hate to use the word "anniversary" to describe it, but there's really no better word. The attacks shook me to my very core that day.
We had just gotten married in the beginning of August, 2001. Two days after we returned from our honeymoon, Matt's grandfather passed away. And less than a month later, 4 airplanes were hi-jacked and plowed into 3 buildings and a hill. That's a lot of drama for 6 weeks' time.
I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news. I was at work, getting ready to go do the banking before the restaurant opened. Someone knocked on the drive-thru window and relayed the horrific news to me. I was numb for the rest of the day, and for several days following. My heart ached for all those people who's loved ones never made it home...from work, their trips, etc.
Especially the children. How heartbreaking it must have been to have to explain to those poor children why mommy or daddy died. It wasn't
an accident or equipment malfunction.
It was pure evil.
So, how do we deal with this tragedy, all these years later. I can't imagine whether it helps the healing process to have to relive the attacks every year. How do we get closure without forgetting what was done on that terrible day? How do we honor those lost without re-opening the survivors' wounds?
The best answer I can come up with is to pray. Pray for those souls that were lost. Pray for their families, trying to pick up the pieces. Pray for those who were injured. Pray for the service men and women who have fight every day to protect our freedom. Pray for police officers, fire fighters, EMTs, etc. who put their lives on the line to protect our safety. Pray that we might forgive those awful acts (Col 3:13), but NEVER forget them.
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