Ten years ago seems like a lifetime away from where I am right now.
Ten years ago I was a teacher in a small rural school.
I taught a self-contained special education class of 6th, 7th and 8th graders.
It was mid-morning when the principal came into my classroom and told me there was a phone call I needed to take.
I left my assistant in charge of my students and walked across the hall to the phone in the teacher’s workroom.
My husband was on the phone. He told me something about the pentagon being hit and not knowing where his brother-in-law was. His brother in law who was just beginning his job at the pentagon, but stayed home that day to wait on his household goods to be delivered. But we didn’t know that yet…
I was confused about what was going on.
I remember a boisterous 7th grade science teacher rambling about how our country was under attack and something about a declaration of war.
I walked back to my classroom in a daze, completely confused and in a bit of shock.
What was happening??
I remember my students’ questions and not knowing how to answer them.
I remember praying for my brother in law in silence.
I remember a student coming back from another class and telling us that our country was bombed.
I remember jumping at the sound of explosions were heard from the nearby Vulcan Materials Company. These explosions were a regular occurrence, but on this day I jumped.
I remember hearing more about the events of the morning during my lunch break at school. With a sense of relief I thanked God that my brother in law was safe, but I wondered about the many who did not survive the day. What were their loved ones going through?
I remember coming home from work and watching the news with my husband. We made a commitment during our first two years of marriage not to watch television. We had it stored in the closet. We took it out to watch the news coverage over the next days.
I remember exactly what I cooked for dinner before my husband went out to a prayer service.
I remember having so many questions and not so many answers.
I never would have thought then that ten years later, my husband would be serving as a chaplain in the Army.
I never would have thought then that we would have been separated twice as he served in deployments to Iraq.
I never would have thought then that I would sit in memorial services for soldiers who gave their lives serving our country as a result of the attacks on that day.
I never would have thought then that I would be able to empathize with Army spouses who are surviving each day, caring for their children while their husbands are away at war.
I never would have thought then that I would be one of those Army spouses.
I never would have thought that the events of that day would eventually touch my life in such a personal way.
So much has changed in the last ten years since our country experienced the devastation of 9/11.
But even as our world experiences devastation, heartbreak, and disaster. Even as we change with each coming year, one thing will always remain the same.
God’s love will always remain.
He made the ultimate sacrifice.
Though my world may fall and crumble.
Though my life may change, His steadfast love will never change.
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God.
I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.
~Psalm 52:8
I will trust in Him, in His love, in His faithfulness, and in His promises.
Post linked to: Remembering September 11 at 5 Minutes for Mom
Barbie says
I am so thankful your brother-in-law is safe. How scary that must have been to not know. My heart is grieving today for so many lives lost, loved ones left behind. But God is our hope. May we continue turn to Him for hope and healing.
Janice says
I was a teaching that day also. Thanks for sharing your story and the sacrifices your family has made as our country continues to fight terrorism.
http://drawingthelinesomewhere.com/remembering-911/
Nicole says
That must have been so hard being worried about your brother in law yet having to keep on a brave face for your students. That day sometimes feels like it was yesterday while other times it feels way longer than 10 years ago.