Friday, September 11, 2009

Sept. 11th, I Remember

I know exactly where I was on Sept. 11, 2001. I was holding my sweet baby, my first daughter, in the kitchen of my parents home in Houston. My Dad had just left for work and my mom was already at the hospital working. My husband was over ten hours away working. I turned on the television and the picture showed a plane crashing into one of the Twin Towers. I frantically turned up the sound to hear, the news people themselves didn't know how to explain it. Minutes later another plane and then the chaos began.

I called my Dad to tell him what was happening and he told me to stay where I was he was coming home. I called my husband, as my daughter clung to me, and he got on his computer at work to try to find the news. My mother checked in with us and later my sister would call and let us know they were evacuating her office building in downtown Houston. Everyone was in a panic. We were frightened, scared of the unknown. Of what might happen next.

I would like to think all those who lost their lives on that day, in their last moments felt a peace like no other. That suddenly they knew what was going to happen next and they were ready. Ready to meet their Heavenly Maker.

My Dad sent this e-mail to me this morning. With tears running down my face, I pray for all those that were lost. The families they left behind. But most of all I pray they felt His arms around them in their last moments and that they welcomed His presence. And that those of us still here know His love.

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL
' You say you will never forget where you were when You heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I. I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room With a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I Held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the Peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it Is OK..I am ready to go.'
I was with his wife when he called as she fed Breakfast to their children. I held her up as she Tried to understand his words and as she realized He wasn't coming home that night.
I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a Woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been Knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said. 'Of course I will show you the way home - only Believe in Me now.'
I was at the base of the building with the Priest Ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He Heard my voice and answered.
I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, With every prayer. I was with the crew as they Were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the Believers there, comforting and assuring them that their Faith has saved them.
I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan . I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?
I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew Every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me For the first time on the 86th floor. Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the Smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... This way... Take My hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.
I did not place you in the Tower that day. You May not know why, but I do. However, if you were There in that explosive moment in time, would you have Reached for Me?
Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey For you . But someday your journey will end. And I Will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may Be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are 'ready to go.' I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.
God

3 comments:

Jill Kemerer said...

I still get a shiver down my spine when I think of that day. Thanks for the tribute.

I really like the new blog look--way to go!

Eileen Astels Watson said...

I remember that day so vividly too. My husband was to fly out that afternoon, his work called to tell us it was cancelled and to turn on the tv. We immediately went and picked up our three girls from school once we found out, we just needed them with us! It's still so sad to think about.

Jody Hedlund said...

Thanks for sharing that beautiful email. That's a tear-jerker!