NEVER FORGET

I never forget the feeling I felt when Todd called and said that a plane had flown into the WTC in New York. I remember saying "that isn't even funny"...and then he said "Another just flew in the other building." I could not even imagine what was happening and even further could not believe that something was attacking America. As we turned on the tv, my three little boys and I watched in horror as they showed live coverage. Nick, who was in 2nd grade, said, "Look mom, Washington DC is on fire, too." I quickly said that they must be showing old tape or something and then I looked and realized that we were really under attack and nothing was ever going to be the same. I got Nick ready for school and took him not knowing what was happening or what could happen, but thinking that it would be better for him to be at school then to be seeing this on tv. I then dropped Chris off at preschool and the teachers had small tv's watching what was happening. I think I just wanted to keep life as normal as I could that day. Then, Zach and I, my sweet little two year old, went to the bank to withdraw cash and to fill out my van with gas. We didn't know what would happen, so we need to do what we could to protect ourselves . By noon, I was asking Todd to please come home after watching the towers crumble to the ground and bring Chris home. I didn't want him at school any more. We left Nick at school and all walked down to school to pick him up afterwards. It was something we needed to do...to all be together. We were in a state of shock and truly couldn't believe what had happened.

Today, as I watched live coverage on the news, I remember that day 8 years ago as if were happening now. It was like time had stood still. As I saw the names of those lost on that day read on tv and bells toll for the times the Towers were hit and fell, the Pentagon was hit and when the plane in Shankville, PA plummeled to the ground, I had tears fall down my cheeks. No matter how life goes on and how we get in to our every day routines, it is proof that we never forget...never forget where we were that moment in time, never forget those whose lives were lost and changed forever, never forget that we Americans and stronger and more resiliant that those cowardly men ever could have been. So today I fly my flag in my front yard with great pride and know that never, never, NEVER will we forget.