Remembering September 11th...

"People across the United States rediscovered the need for God and turned to Him for solace and understanding. Comfortable times were shattered. We felt the great unsteadiness of life and reached for the great steadiness of our Father in Heaven. And, as ever, we found it. Americans of all faiths came together in a remarkable way." - President Thomas S. Monson

Yesterday everyone was reflecting back on September 11th and where they were. I remember I was in 7th grade just getting ready to go to school and on the news they were showing what they thought was an "accidental" plane crash into one of the World Trade Centers. Being in 7th grade I wasn't too concerned about it and turned the t.v. off to head to school. By the time I had gotten to school and walked into my first class of the day, all the school's t.v.'s were on and my teachers were glued to them. It was there I found out that another plane had hit the second tower. There at school we all watched the events of that day unfold and I remember being terrified. I went home that night and we watched that second plane hit the World Trade Center over and over and over again. Even in 7th grade I understood what a historical day that was going to be and for the rest of my life people were always going to ask each other "where were you that day?"

Clint and I had the opportunity in July to visit Ground Zero and see the new skyscraper they are erecting. There was such a spiritual feeling there that one just cannot describe. We took some time to sit on a bench just outside the construction fence and take it all in. The emotions overcame me as I though about that place and how truly sacred it was. There thousands of Americans died and there America came together as one.  Watching the memorial service yesterday broke my heart. What a tragic day that was, but also what a renewing of the sense of American pride was born that day as well. What a beautiful memorial they have built to those people's honor. Clint and I are hoping that we will be able to go see it soon.

Being here on the east coast and only a couple hours away from New York has made a difference to how I connected with September 11th yesterday. People in Connecticut were directly affected and many people here lost loved ones that were in the World Trade Centers.  I felt so proud yesterday driving around and seeing all the flags in honor of those that lost their lives that day and also for those that have lost their lives since then fighting for our freedom.  In church yesterday, we sang America the Beautiful. I was hit by emotions in the last couple verses (ones that I had never paid attention to much) that went like this:

"O beautiful for heroes prov'd
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life.

America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev'ry gain divine.

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears.

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea."

When singing these verses, the tears in people's eyes began to collect. Those people that died that day and also those that are fighting or have fought for our freedom are heroes. They loved their country more than themselves and many people have given their lives for it.  I am grateful for our country and for those men and woman who are fighting to keep everything our country stands for. God Bless America!