In Rembrance

The happenings of this one day will most likely live on in the memories of every one of us. Design Team Member Vicki Robertson shares her memories of that tragic morning.

I remember that fateful day, like it happened yesterday...Hubby was at work, oldest daughter was in class at a local college and the youngest daughter had barely started her senior year in high school.  And me?  I had just walked through the doors of JoAnn Fabric at 9 A.M. to hear that minutes before  a plane had hit the World Trade Center in Manhattan.  How tragic!  It never occurred to me at the time, that another and two others would soon follow or what it would all mean. 

I could write word for word of my movements that day after 9:15 A.M., but choose not to dwell on my thoughts and feelings.  It was too close to home for me all the way around as we lived near Washington, D.C. and my family lived near Shanksville, PA.   And currently, we live an hour from New York City, and a lot of my neighbors were directly affected by the tragedy that occurred that day.

I will share that I couldn't reach my daughter's school fast enough that day, where I put my arms around her and held her close while we both shook with fear and shed a few tears.  Being home as a family that night, had greater meaning than ever before.

We have visited all three locations and memorials of that fateful day.  Standing in silent reverence in honor of those that lost their lives, left me so moved with emotion that I was frozen in place.

And then came the song...one of the most poignant songs every written. "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?" by Alan Jackson.

Nothing more need be said...

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or working on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Risin' against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out with pride for the red, white and blue
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters?

[Chorus:]
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell
You the difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you teaching a class full of innocent children
Or driving down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?

Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Or speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Or go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
Did you stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love?

[Chorus x2]

And the greatest is love.
And the greatest is love.

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?