9/11 Memorial, NY. Photo credit Josiah Macy
I wrote this nine years ago but I thought that I would share it today.
It’s the tenth anniversary of 9/11. It’s hard to believe that I was only ten when it happened. I can’t see myself as being that age as I watched the towers crumble, knowing that human beings were trapped inside dying a death more horrible than I could imagine. I remember watching it live on TV as a plane disappeared into the second tower. I remember the terror written on the faces of those who watched, unable to do anything. I remember the panic as people screamed and fled. I remember seeing bodies fall through the air to their death as many tried to escape being burned alive. Mostly, I remember the feeling of helplessness.
I was ten.
Although I didn’t see myself this way at the time, I was just a child. I believe that most people would agree that a ten-year-old child should never have to witness such an act of violence, but I do not regret it. Don’t get me wrong, I wish it had never happened. If I could go back in time to change what occurred I would. But I can’t. I too wish that children did not have to experience such hatred, but reality is, we live in an imperfect, evil world. We do not do our children a service by protecting them from the knowledge of the suffering of others. It is important for us to understand, even at a young age, that we can not control the events of our lives. We can however, control our response.
I listed some memories from that day, but there are more. I remember firemen rushing in, sacrificing their lives to rescue others. I remember a plane whose passengers chose to crash in a field rather than allow others to perish with them. I remember flags everywhere you looked. I remember how everyone acknowledged, unapologetically, the need for God. I remember a glimmer of hope that maybe something good would come through this situation. I saw how our nation responded to a crisis, and I had hope that our country would truly turn to God.
Sadly, I learned that America has a short memory and quickly returns to its old ways. It was a hard lesson I learned from the terrorist attack, but it was important. I am grateful that my parents didn’t try to shelter me from the painful truth. I needed to know.
I wrote that nine years ago in my journal, and even though it has now been nineteen years since the attack took place, it is still fresh in my memory. Somethings you will never be able to forget. As I look back at the USA of 9/11/2001, I can’t help but contrast it with the USA of 9/11/2020. Our nation is again in a crisis, but there is a big difference in how we are responding. Nineteen years ago, strangers wrapped their arms around each other and held tight. Today, friends won’t come close and risk the possibility of getting sick. Nineteen years ago, the church opened its doors and welcomed the hurting in. Today, you can only come if you meet certain requirements. Maybe. Nineteen years ago, our nation came together. Today, we are splintered. Something needs to change. We need to reach out to our neighbors again. We need to encourage one another. We need to stand side by side, shoulder to shoulder. Most of all, we need to join hands united in prayer for our country.
~Elisabeth Macy