On September 11, 2001

 

At one time, this day represented the day before celebrating my

son’s birthday.

Now it is has become a day of remembrance for tragedy and destruction.

 

Pain, confusion, and sadness will forever mark our calendars of this day.

 

My first thoughts questioned,

Is this the price for leadership and control?

Terror and pain washed over the whole world.

 

I thought of the confusion for all;

In the buildings,

In the airplanes,

At home,

And away from home.

 

I felt life slipping away,

I just stood there with emptiness and disbelief,

But I took back my control of myself.

 

So many helpless and frightened people surrounded me,

All focused with intense attention to the media on the television,

Over and over we watched this horrid event unfold.

 

I wanted to comfort them all,

I assured them that we all would be safe,

And wished the news media would disappear.

 

Life seemed different, now,

Unsafe, Unsure, and Short.

I hoped my family and friends were safe.

 

I cry sometimes in memory of such tragedy,

And wonder why so many had to suffer,

And more wonder why people find it so much harder to love than hate.

 

It seems to have helped to pull us together,

And strenghtened an awareness of unity between all.

 

I guess my point is summed up in the last sentence.

 People all over the world find it easy to hate us and

Their attempts to destroy our country

 Will only increase our desire for lasting unity.

 

 

 

 

Written by S.D.Johnson, September 11, 2002