The day the World stood still.

The day the World stood still.

9/11/01

Dear Friends, 

September 11^th, 2001... 9/11 for short… we hear about this day. But do we truly remember it?

My generation was the first generation to have started school the same year. I started to Elementary School in the fall of 2001…. As a flamboyant, and in a way, overly confident 5-year-old.

My Momma recalls the first day I started school, as I walked through the door, and apparently told my Kindergarten teacher- “Now, Mrs. Whitaker- If any of these children need help tying their shoes- I’ll help them.”---Bless it....Mrs. Whitaker--- If you are reading this---Thank you for your patience, understanding, and guidance as you reigned in my tenacity. You are the best.

Little did my Momma, or myself, or anyone else for that matter realize that just a few short days later in the early weeks of September we would be bonded together forever. No matter what- in my life I will always be asked the phrase “Where were you when 9/11 struck?”.

To tell you the honest answer, my memory of the day is clouded, influenced by the stories of family and friends over the years, as they told their encounter of 9/11. I remember little, and what I do remember might not have even happened the way I remember. I know facts: 1) I was in Mrs. Whitaker’s Kindergarten classroom. 2) My Momma came to be with me after she spoke on the phone with her friend and found out about the towers being hit. 3) Lots of adults around me were sad. I am sorrowed at that fact, but I take comfort in the bliss of innocence.

Let me tell you what I DO remember: 

1. Kindergarten was a FUN, and Educational year… 
2. I remember the parties we had for Halloween, and Christmas… 
3. I remember my friends and I reading on the wooden sofa with a red cushion… 
4. I remember Mrs. Whitaker and Miss Petty being so gentle and loving to us.                 That is what I remember about 2001. I remember love.

I remember the feeling of everyone being connected, everyone saying their prayers, and being thankful to God for Him sparing our community. I remember people turning to God…asking Him to avenge our people, and to protect the brave soldiers as they fought to end the evil that had came against us..... 

As I thought of this I begin to wonder… 17 years later, will we ever get this unity back? Do we as Americans have to wait for another tragedy before we begin pulling together again? Is our priority list up to date with things that would still be important if 9/11 hit again?

I think that there is too much of a divide… spiritually first and foremost, politically second, and socially third. We must remember-we all are different, we all have different lifestyles, but we all bleed the same color... we ALL were precious enough for God to send his Son for us... Where I come from- ALL means ALL. 

I just pray that one day we can ALL stand as Americans, put aside our differences and be unified again……

Sincerely,

One of the Class of 2014…. The Kindergarteners of 9/11/01