Remembering Sept 11...

I know that everyone can remember where they were on this day 5 years ago. I was at home with Mason, who was just about 18 month old. We were actually watching "Barney" when he grabbed the remote and started playing with it. He ended up turning to NBC. It was just after the second tower got hit. I spent the day with the little television on news while the big TV downstairs played cartoons. (Even though he was young, I didn't want Mason watching/hearing any of it) . I think the most memorable moment for me was when they had stopped all air traffic and weren't letting any planes fly. All of a sudden I heard airplanes. Really loud planes. My first thought was fear that terrorists were flying over, or that we were being attacked. I went to the window and saw 2 or 3 fighter jets escorting AirForce 1 to Offutt. On television they kept saying that the president was being flown to an undisclosed location. I really couldn't make up my mind whether or not having him at our base made me feel safer or more fearful.
For the next few days, like everyone else, I just kept watching the recovery efforts. It was so sad to see families suffering, not even knowing if their loved ones were dead or alive.
I think overall the events of Sept 11 gave me a greater awareness and appreciation for my day to day life. Tomorrow isn't promised to any of us. Our lives could be taken in an instant. When I think about that thought it convicts me to live my life on purpose every day, not taking any moment for granted. I hope that as a nation we never forget the way we felt that day. I hope we never forget who we turned to for comfort that day. I remember that church attendance went way up and families started having game nights and eating dinner together again. I'm afraid that as a whole we have forgotten the lessons that we learned that day. Our lives are short, we must live them for something that counts and we must cherish the loved ones in our lives. I pray that once again we will turn to God as our source. In my opinion, if we want God's protection on our country we have to start allowing Him back into it. We have pushed Him out of our schools, our pledge of allegience and our federal buildings. It's time to invite God back into America again. We need Him desperately!
I'll get off of my soapbox now and I will pray. Pray for the families who lost loved ones, for our nation and those who are fighting for our freedom.
God Bless America!