Have You Forgotten?

This post may seem a little random and scrambled with all that is going on, but its been on my mind today and I just feel like sharing.  I've been kind of in a weird mood for the past couple of days.  Those that know me best understand why, and for those that don't...well, I'm really sorry.  I believe some of it is just to personal to put on the internet.  Part of it is that I'm feeling kind of blue planning a wedding without my dad.  Even though I'm overjoyed to be engaged to my best friend, it feels wrong that my dad is not here.  I know that there is nothing I can do because God called him home.  And I know that I will never truly understand why until I am reunited with him, but it still makes me sad that he won't be here to join in my special day.  Especially because my mom always tells me how much he was looking forward to it.

Anyways...back to the original point of this post.  I've been crying the past two days at the thought of my dad.  I guess I'm just overly sensitive at the moment.  But...today I teared up for a completely different reason.  As I was driving back from the car wash (I can't even begin to tell you had bad my car needed some TLC), a song came on the radio that I haven't heard in a very long time.  "Have You Forgotten" by Darryl Worley is such a powerful song about September 11th, and I always have a surge of feelings whenever I hear it.  With the 10th anniversary of the attacks looming closer, I feel like I should write a post about how thankful I am to live in the United States where we are free.

Do you remember where you were on September 11th, 2001?  I don't think I'll ever forget it.  I was in drama class with Ms. Lawrence in 10th grade, and the principal came in and told us there was an attack but we weren't allowed to turn on our tv's to see what was happening.  I was sick to my stomach.  Who would do such a thing?  I was so worried and upset that I ended up going home early and will never forget seeing people jump out of the twin towers, watching the planes hit over and over, and then watching both towers collapse.  I cried so much that day.  I cried for our country, those who lost loved ones, and I for those behind the attacks.  I found myself constantly praying for understanding because I just could not comprehend why such a horrible thing would happen.

The days after 9/11 all seem like a blur to me, but I do remember all the footage being played on television.  People were outraged at the attack, we wanted to capture those behind it and bring them to justice.  We were united under a common cause, and had pride in our country and those who were fighting for her.  In my twenty-five years on this earth I don't think I have ever seen people more compassionate towards one another, and I'm not sure if I will ever see it again.  We wept for families that were affected, praised the heroes that went down in that Pennsylvania field, and rejoiced when we heard tales of bravery and sacrifice that came out of the horrific attacks.  I will never forget the story of a woman's husband who called her from Flight 93 who told her there was a hijacker on board and he was rallying people to stop him from crashing the plane into the Capital.  There were no tears from her when telling the story on the news, instead she was beaming with pride.  I don't know if she had already cried herself out, but I was surprised by the way she handled herself on national television.  Yes she was sad he was no longer with her, but her husband was a hero.

Every year I watch coverage of the families that were affected by the attacks.  I have never been able to forget those that were affected that easily.  It seems that a majority of people in this country have just moved on, and they don't remember or honor those who died that day.  We are fighting wars because of it, and yet we have people protesting it.  Men and women lay their lives on the line every single day so that we can live in a world where we are free to do as we please (for the most part), but not everyone appreciates it.  It makes me sad to see where we are now, compared to ten years ago.  We are not a united nation anymore, we are completely divided.  Our government has forgotten all that our founding fathers stood for, and they forget that we the people are the ones who should be in control.  They are so obsessed with trying to outdo the other party, to discredit and humiliate that they forget what is important.  WE are the ones who are important.  Those who are oversees fighting wars for us are important.  Our soldiers keep us safe and allow us to live normal lives.

So please, on the anniversary of September 11th, remember those who died.  Give thanks for all that you have and reach out to others that need a little extra support.  Thank our soldiers and their families who sacrifice their loved ones each and every day so that they are able to protect our nation.  Let us not forget what has made our nation great, and try to strive to get back to it.  And remember, September 11th is not an excuse to thank those who have sacrificed for us....we should be thankful each and every day.  I know I am.

"I've been there with the soldiers who've gone away to war

And you can bet that they remember

Just what they're fighting for.

Have you forgotten all the people killed?

Yeah, some went down like heroes in that Pennsylvania field.

Have you forgotten about our Pentagon?

All the loved ones that we lost and those left to carry on.

Don't you tell me not to worry about bin Laden.

Have you forgotten?"