Sunday, September 15, 2013

The Anniversary

We had another anniversary.

Twelve years.  Twelve years, really??

Yes, that's what they tell me....twelve years since I stood ,straight from the shower, towel wrapped around me in my bedroom, TV on, watching a plane fly smack into the Twin Towers.

I sank down on the edge of my bed and began talking to the Lord out loud.  Please, please Father, save those people, send someone to tell them you love them, you died for them.  Don't let them die without you!

My next thought was for my children.  No one was home....no one was close.

All of my children were gone from Canton. 

We had just dropped Ethan off at Messiah College in Pennsylvania.  His first year in college!  And the TV anchor was indicating that another plane was hijacked and over Pennsylvania.  I quickly tried to call him and miraculously did connect.  "Ethan, do whatever the administration tells you to do.  Use your head, pray, and listen for instructions."  It was obvious that we were under attack and no one knew where the next attack would come.

Jon was in Chicago, attending Wheaton College.  I thought he would be safe, no mention of any situations in that area.

Christian was returning home from South Carolina on a bus.  I could not get in touch with him, no cell phones for everyone at that time.  "Please, wherever Christian is, keep him safe and get him back home with us!!"

Elizabeth was in Boston, working in her nursing field since graduation.  The towers had fallen.  They thought there would be hundreds, thousands of casualties.  She called.  "Mom, they"re telling us all medical people are required to remain in their positions.  We're expecting many burn patients.  The city is shut down.  They're F-16 flying over Boston.  Perhaps Boston was their next target!  All medical people are to report to the hospitals."  I heard a little panic in her voice.  "Honey, God and Jesus are with you.  You can do this.  You were made for such a time as this.  God will give you strength, wisdom and grace for this day and whatever is to follow"

Sadly, there were very few survivors.  No one was flown to Boston.  Everyone could go home.

For me it was a bit of a wake up call and revelation that we don't live in a Pollyanna world, and bad things can happen here, in the safety and comfort of our own country.  No, none of us are invincible or immune to tragedies.  We will and do have suffering in this world and it can and does affect the people in the USA. 

I had a renewed sense that I need to live each day intentionally, make the most of each 24 hours.  And that I could not protect my four children all the time.  They were out, living life, going to school, making decisions and hopefully remembering lessons learned at home. 

I had a more acute sense that this world is not my real home.  I'm going to a different place, a better place.  A place where I will see my friends and family again, have fellowship and interaction with them and see my savior.  Where love will triumph and tears will be wiped away.  Where we will continue to live and breathe and have our being!

The years fly by, but the memories not only linger but that whole day can be vividly replayed in most of our lives.  I'm still sad when I see and hear the names of the victims being read by a member of their family.  It's sad that some of those young adults have grown up with out their father or mother, grandparent, aunt or uncle.  I'm sad that the hijackers had so little regard for their own lives, lives that God gave them and intended for them to use for good.

I know that good has come from this tragedy and horror,   The Word tells us this and we have heard many reports of heroism, sacrifice, love, generosity and turning to the Lord.  God is still good.  He is still sitting on His eternal throne.  His ultimate will will not be denied. And we are important to Him.

There will be another anniversary next year.  Another remembering.  Another opportunity to be reflective.  Another time to look back and look forward.