I’m sure having read the title of today’s blog post, you’ll not be surprised when I tell you that today I want to reflect on the events that shook the world exactly 10 years ago today.
When thinking about today’s blog post, I found myself reflecting on where I was and what I was doing when news of the shocking events happening in America began to come through to us. For me 9/11 ten years ago started just like any other…it was a work day, so I was at work, and was in my normal office with my colleagues, when about 3 pm, out of the blue, one of them said there was news coming through that one of the buildings in Manhattan had been hit by a plane…
We were all shocked and a little bemused by this news as it seemed a rather unlikely thing to have happened – I know I wasn’t quite sure whether this was even true. Soon, too soon, it became apparent that something shocking was happen, another plane had hit one of the twin towers, and the other tower was the one that had been hit by the previous plane…
Something was terribly wrong with this, this shouldn’t and couldn’t be happening could it? I wish this was just some fictional story, however as we all now know, these events were the start of series of horrific and evil events.
I have several memories of my thoughts and actions during the remainder of that fateful day, here’s just a few:
- Disbelief at the events unfolding
- Unable to get onto any news websites as they were all overloaded because everyone was trying to find out what was going on
- I feared for our world
- I prayed silently at my desk
- The office was very quiet
- Everyone left work as soon as possible to get home
- We sat up nearly all night just watching the news channels and shedding loads of tears
Yes that was my day ten years ago. It was one full of sadness and disbelief, however I cannot imagine the terror, the horror, the pain, and the loss suffered by those who were in the areas directly affected by the events of 9/11, those who were part of the emergency services who responded to the emergency calls, and those who suffered the loss of colleagues, friends or family…only God truly understands their pain.
I pray that we may never forget the bravery and committment shown by so many during those darkest of times may never be forgotten, that those who lost their lives during those events, and as a result of those events, may never be forgotten, that those left behind and struggling mentally and physically to come to terms with these events, may never be forgotten.
I pray we will never again see such evil in this world again. I pray for peace. I pray for love and understanding among all nations and all peoples.
I pray for those who died because of 9/11.
The Distinct Dot 