a day to remember.

{circa 2003}

i was a little girl eleven years ago today, one who woke up early in the morning to go to school and found her mom crying on the telephone. it was about something i didn't understand, so i made my oatmeal and sat on the cold bar stool, feeling strangely uneasy. 

i was small, and saw the tragedy through the innocent eyes of a child. 

now i look back and understand, with a strong feeling of love for my country. my family has a sturdy military background, and both of my parents have formerly worked for a bay area police department. we possess a respect for the first-responders, and also a fiery sense of patriotism. 

september 11 breaks my heart. i get teary-eyed thinking of all the families whose lives took a tragic turn that day, and chills when i hear stories of heroism. although my country isn't perfect, i truly do love it. i respect President Bush for his honorable and sweet actions in the classroom that day, and for the police officers and firefighters that gave everything to save those in need. 

we didn't have television in 2001, so my family bundled up the babies and went over to my aunt's house to watch the news coverage. it was a confusing time, one that infused a sense of heartache and unity throughout the whole country. one of my most vibrant memories comes in the form of a simple moment with my dad. 

my cousins and i were playing outside, when he called us in. 
i'll never forget the look in his eyes as he said, "you all need to come inside. your president is speaking."

my president was speaking. i was nine-years-old, and my father's words reverberated with a sense of respectful pride. my country had been attacked, but my president was speaking, and it was time to stand with the rest of my country and listen.

President Bush ended his speech with words that are still firmly branded in my mind. "i pray they will be comforted by a power that's greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23. 'even though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, i fear no evil, for you are with me'....none of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom, and all that is good and just in our world. thank you, goodnight, and God bless America."

14 comments:

  1. Ok your post made me tear up too!! I bet it's very hard for a child to understand it or go through it. Thank you so much for visiting my blog! xoxo

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  2. What a beautiful post! I was a sophomore in high school, and it was such a sad and somber moment during our nation's history. Thank you for posting it. It's very poignant and honest.

    xo,
    Victoria
    http://thestylistadiaries.blogspot.com/

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  3. i remember thinking it was a movie i was watching on tv. i thought it was some special effects scene. until i realized it wasn't. we spent the rest of that school day watching the news. its a day i'll never forget. i can remember it like it was yesterday even though it was over a decade ago.

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  4. I was in Grade 9 when this happened and remember being so shaken - such a horrible day. Even as Canadians it felt like it was happening to us all since we're so connected with Americans. What a wonderful post to commemorate such a great loss.

    Alex xo

    tovogueorbust.com

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  5. what a great speech by Pres. Bush and 11 years later in a speech remembering Sept 11 no mention of the Almighty or how people sought out a religion for comfort following the horrific aftermath of a group of selfish men

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  6. I was in 7th grade and the first news came during the hour when I was an office aid. I didn't fully comprehend the magnitude of what happened until I went home that day. I don't think many of my classmates did, either.
    You write really beautifully, lady! I'm so glad to have you as a new follower of my blog and happy I found yours, too :)

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  7. Beautifully written account of that day and President Bush. Just found your blog after you commented on mine. You live a wonderful life my friend, and you are gorgeous ta boot! I'll be following your for sure.

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  8. Beautiful tribute, I'm an Australian and even the impact of that tragic day was felt. I remember I was in year 9, recess when a friend told me, it's strange cos it's one of those moments in life that I remember vividly too.

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    SDMxx
    www.daringcoco.com
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  9. LOVED this post, honey. You brought me right back to that heartbreaking day.

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  10. I have a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that its been 11 years because sometimes it truly feels like it just happened yesterday. I think that although it was such a horrible, tragic event it also brought us together as a country.

    Thanks for sharing your story.

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  11. Beautiful post. I think that what happened will always be in everyone's hearts - not just Americans even. Thank you for putting your thoughts out here. :)

    Wish&Wear

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  12. I know it's crazy that it was 11 years ago yet I can still remember every detail from that day.

    xo erica

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  13. Wooow, so many posts! Yes, this made me tear up!! WHAT a day to remember. I remember it almost the same way..Thank you Meghan!

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thank you for your sweet comments! i read every single one <3