I was going to write about something else today, but I had a hard time sleeping last night and decided that what I really wanted to do was write about the anniversary of 9-11. I appreciate the fact that, as a nation, we pause and reflect together. For so many families, everything changed that day.
Just like my parents’ generation and the Kennedy assassination, we all know where we were when the planes hit the World Trade Center. We were stationed at Ft. Campbell, KY, and our son had turned exactly ten months old that day. I was feeding him peas in his high chair (the taste made him cry) when the news came on TV. I wept as events unfolded throughout the day; I’m sure many of you did, too.
My mother was still alive, and I was on the phone with her since my husband was out of the country on a training trip. They came home quickly, though, and prepared to leave again for “real.” We had friends at the Pentagon, and Amy’s father was one of the fire chiefs on site in Virginia that day as the fire raged.
What’s happened since:
So many lives were lost that day, and have been lost in the 13 years of war that have followed. We are blessed to have quite a few military spouses who read our blog (part of the sisterhood that I cherish and depend on) and I’ll bet they all can name far too many friends who have sacrificed their lives in the service of this country. Memorial Day doesn’t come just once a year anymore as we mark anniversaries of loss, and 9-11 is one of those days when we all pause and remember together.
We make a huge effort NOT to be political on this blog, because that’s not what we’re about, and I’m proud to say that regardless of our various deeply held and personal feelings about the war, the American people embrace our servicemen and women and honor their sacrifices. My husband and I often feel appreciated to the point of embarrassment–hopefully that makes sense and doesn’t sound ungrateful!
Other than those first ten months of Connor’s life, my kids have never known peacetime. Their normal is that their dad is away as much as he is home, and while I pray that will change in the future, I am also on-my-knees grateful that at least he continues to come home safely when so many have not.
Photo Credit: Sweet Peony Photography
So while I (obviously) love the fun and the frivolous as much as the next girl, and will be back with more of it tomorrow, thanks for taking the day off with me to pause, reflect, and remember.
NSDQ/LNSDQ!
Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you for sharing this. I instantly feel closer to you and will be praying for your husband’s safety and the well-being of your family. WandanTexas
Wanda–thank you. That means the world to me!
Thank you to your husband and all the others who have served and continue to serve our country.
Perfect, Christy…
Thank you, my friend. 🙂
Beautiful post… Thank you.
Thank you, Sara!
I’m a Canadian living in our nations Capital, Ottawa.
I was at work that day when the news came of the first plane….And the second….and
We all watched in horror and wept for our brothers and sisters to the south. I’m crying as I write this as 9-11 affected me deeply. We will never forget.
God Bless you and your family.
Thank you, Tracey. It means so much to hear that–thanks for taking the time to write and tell me.
Brautiful, Chirsty. Thank you and your family for being a part of the good. As a wife that married my service man after 9/11 I cannot imagine the fear you must have felt knowing what this tragic day meant for your husband, your child (at the time) and your friends. I remember this day, 15 years ago, and the fear, but living the life I have now married to the military, I cannot fathom how much greater the fear must have been for you and so many others.
God bless you! I love you dearly and am so thankful for the sacrifices you and all the other spouses have made over these past 15 years.
This is the first time I’ve read this ~ thank you for sharing! I remember every minute of that day ~ at work at American Airlines. I won’t go into it; the event and losses were horrific. I can only imagine your thoughts and feelings with your husband being involved in the aftermath. I’ve had a difficult time keeping back the tears today and I still hold those that lost so much in prayer. Maybe it’s just me but I find that those that don’t share any thoughts or feelings about this day difficult to understand.
xo
Pat
Christy this is a beautiful tribute. Like you I remember so vividly that day…..desperately trying to get in touch with our family in NYC and hearing the stories in the days to follow of who survived and who didn’t…..it was a horrifying time. I can only imagine what it must have been like as a military family. Thank you for your family’s sacrifice, and for sharing this post. xx
Thanks, Lisa. It’s most definitely a day that none of us will ever forgot!
XO
Christy