Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?

It's been nine years since that dreadful Tuesday morning and I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing.

I was home with my ten week old baby girl. I had been out that morning looking for a new apartment to move to. My sweet girl was asleep in her infant car seat and I flipped on the television. All I saw was smoke, thinking it was a weird movie I changed the channel but the picture didn't change. Every channel showed horrifying footage of our country being attacked.

I remember a couple specific thoughts that ran through my mind. "What kind of world did I just bring this child into?" I also was immediately concerned about a high school friend who had enlisted in the army and was stationed in Washington D.C.. Thank God this friend was okay, he did spend the next months protecting the White House. My first thought still runs through my mind from time to time with all three of my little chicks.

Since that day I get teary eyed when I hear the National Anthem before a sporting event or a Veterans Day assembly at my daughter's school. Below are the lyrics to Alan Jackson's song "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning" and video of Lee Greenwoods "God Bless the USA". Two songs that remind me of what that day was like for our country and just how blessed we still are to live here.

Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning by Alan Jackson

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

Out in the yard with your wife and children

Working on some stage in LA

Did you stand there in shock at the site of

That black smoke rising against that blue sky

Did you shout out in anger

In fear for your neighbor

Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children

Who lost their dear loved ones

And pray for the ones who don't know

Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble

And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride

For the red white and blue

The heroes who died just doing what they do

Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer

And look at yourself to what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you

The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us

And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

Teaching a class full of innocent children

Driving down some cold interstate

Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor

In a crowded room did you feel alone

Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her

Did you dust off that bible at home

Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened

Close your eyes and not go to sleep

Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages

Speak with some stranger on the street

Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow

Go out and buy you a gun

Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching

And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger

Stand in line and give your own blood

Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family

Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you

The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us

And the greatest is love

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you

The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us

And the greatest is love

The greatest is love

The greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

Do you remember where you were that Tuesday morning? What are you doing this September 11th? I will be playing in a church league softball tournament. I will be doing this because many men and women have fought for my right to do so. Today I thank each and everyone one of you for fighting and I remember those who lost their lives doing so.

Blessings.