Saturday, September 11, 2010

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.

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