Where I was

Our generation will always remember where we were on that fateful morning of

September 11, 2001.

I was a senior in high school. Waking up that morning it seemed like any other. After getting ready for school I came bounding down the stairs. From the stairs I could see my parents room and my mom sitting on the edge of her bed, staring at the television, crying.

Not sure what was going on or even able to imagine the horror that would unfold, I walked into her room to see what was wrong. By the time I realized what was happening the second plane had already hit the second tower. My mom and I sat there together watching, speechless, terrified. I don't even remember if we said anything to each other. I just remember sitting on her bed crying as the reality of that day sunk in.

Finally, I pulled myself away from the screen and headed to school. Once at school we were kept up to date on the latest developments as each class/teacher either had their televisions, radios, or computers tuned in to what was going on. Then we heard the Pentagon had been hit and the World Trade Center buildings fall one after the other. The rest of the day was a blur.

Following graduation, I visited New York City with two good friends for our senior trip. We visited the wreckage of the World Trade Center. Words cannot describe the feeling of seeing the rubble and buildings several blocks in either direction draped in large white sheets.

Today marks ten years, and the feelings of that horrible day come rushing back. Yet I am proud of the heroism of so many citizens on that day, so proud to be an American, and so grateful for the knowledge of a loving Heavenly Father and His eternal plan for us.

Thomas S Monson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints recently wrote an article for the Washington Post (found here). It emphasizes that yes, we do need our Heavenly Father to make it through tragedy and loss as seen on Sept 11th, but we should not forget Him when the aches of such tragedies fade. May today also serve as a reminder that 10 years later, "{We} need thee every hour".