September 11th

Firefighters

I always thought of firefighters as people
who save other people from fires,
but now I think a lot more than that
when I hear the word
firefighters.

I think of brave men and woman risking
their lives for others.

I think of people who were
searching through rubble hoping
to find someone alive.

I think of going into that
burning building.

Most of all, I think of the day
when terrorists
took over our lives and hearts. 

September 11, 2001 is a day I’ll never forget.

I don’t think anyone will forget that terrible day,
but what ever happens,
those fire fighters
will always be there to protect
our beautiful country.

Ashley, 9/11/01

Where were you?  

     I was driving to a staff developers meeting at the Ken Caryl Manor House in the foothills of Denver.  The traffic on E-470 was horrible that morning and I was near Chatfield Reservoir when I heard the news on the radio... I was in shock and my car was overheating!  I pulled off and took a different route; of course, when I arrived we all decided to cancel the meeting.  I started driving down the hill and my water pump went out (such a trivial thing), so I pulled into Safeway parking lot at Ken Caryl and went in to call a tow truck (a three hour wait) and all I wanted to do was go home...
      I pulled out my new writer's notebook and wrote the following entry:


"Hello New Notebook, 
      I'm sitting here waiting for a tow truck to arrive--my water pump just went out.  Rather than sitting in the dining room of the Ken Caryl Manor House, I'm here... the events of today weighing heavy on my heart.  Instead of sitting around a table, discussing learning, here I am watching shoppers going in and out of the Safeway--wishing I was home.  Stupid car!
     Today, our nation became vulnerable after the attack on our country.  The skies are silent--the only flight right now from the birds that continue to soar and sing.  I turn to the skies and see the clouds floating freely.  I'm finding my mind turn to God and praying His hand will glide gently over the hearts of mankind today.  He has the power to heal and I know I'm blessed to know Him.  Suddenly, my water pump seems so trivial...
     Today the World Trade Center became rubble.  Today the Pentagon was hit.  The world as we know it has been forever changed.  I sit here waiting for a tow truck, while thousands sit waiting for news of loved ones, in disbelief!
     I'm thinking of Graham--he's so handsome and kind--and I pray he'll be sheltered from war.  I pray for Anneke--that her compassion will continue to be her stronghold.  I pray for Jens and his questioning--I wonder what he's thinking.  I pray for Lauryn, so young and sweet and innocent.  And I pray for Susan, the love of my life..."


Ah, the power of the written word.  I'm so glad I keep a writer's notebook.  So, like Ashley, I can remember!