My September 11, 2002

[freakygirl]

I awoke this morning to the bright green eyes of my daughter Kimber at 6 am.

She informed me that the flag wasn't flying at half staff. I told her it was. We had not forgotten that or the light. All was well.

She said that it was one year ago today that all those people in "the city" died. I held her close and told her she was right.

Last year I had kept her home from school. I wanted her to learn about these tragic events from me.. not school. I wanted to tell her what was going on in the words I knew she would understand. I knew the school wouldn't have first graders watching the tv.. and probably not explain much to them. My daughter is an intelligent little girl. Wise for her young age. Knows a lot about a lot. I don't know if that is good or not.. but it's who she is. I can't change it.

This morning she wanted "flag pancakes" for breakfast. I mixed the batter and attempted to make a pancake look like a flag. It didn't work out real well.. but she happily ate 3 of them. She dressed in her red, white and blue.. and headed off to school. She even remembered where the ribbon was that we had made last year. It was proudly pinned to her shirt just above her heart.

After dropping her off at school.. we (Mr Freaky and I) always walk our dogs. Today we decided to walk someplace differently. We headed to the beach. Along the way.. we seen a man holding a large flag in front of him. He was on his knees with his hat on the ground. It looked as though he was in a "moment of silence". I looked at my watch.. it was 8:46 am. Mr Freaky pulled over to the side of the road.. got out of the truck.. removed his hat and stood silent. The man looked up with tears in his eyes. Mr Freaky walked over to him.. and extended his hand. The man put his flag into the flag holder and hugged Mr Freaky. I started to cry. This total stranger was hugging another total stranger. He and Mr Freaky talked awhile.. and we drove off.

We never made it to the beach. We drove around looking at flags and talking. A good talk.. not just about 9-11.. but about things we dream of.. things we want in life.

I needed to pick some stuff up at WalMart.. we made the stop and did a little shopping. It was quiet in WalMart.. except for the TVs.. they all had 9-11 programs on. I watched as people.. young and old stopped to watch the tvs. As we were getting ready to leave.. a man walked up to us and handed us some little American flags. Mine is here.. next to my computer. Standing proudly and waving in the breeze from an open window.

Kimber and I have a special place that we go to when things are tough. Tonight she asked if we could go there.. and have a pic nic. Kimber wants to have a special dinner in a special place for the people who are in heaven. She says our special place is as close to heaven as we can get, without actually going there.

So.. with the sandwiches made.. and the cooler packed. I'm off with my little girl.. for a special meal for some special people.

So... everyone that has lost someone.. not only in the tragic events of 9-11.. but in other ways..anything you want told to them? Because I'm having dinner with them

I shall return tonight when the sun sets....

 

[peachykeen]

mine was blissfully uneventful. Thank heaven. Meditated a lot, read the paper, called my husband to tell him I love him and can't wait to see him in a few days, hugged my nephew a lot.

Tell John and Chris I said hi, again.

 

[Chuckus]

My day was pretty good. Somber and reflective, commemorative even.

I shed some tears and had some laughs.

 

[Guru]

 

[lady_deanna]

freaky, you have a wonderful girl there! You deserve a lot of credit for that.

Living on the other side of the country, sometimes the tragedy seems so remote, except for my friends scattered about in Chicago and DC that bring to closer to home. It was certainly a time I was thankful to live in the middle of nowhere.

Last night I lay in bed, listening to helicopters rummage through the skies above the fields, probably heading to nearby high security zones. I have to say it was a bit unnerving because we usually don't hear them except when there are fires. Even now, sitting here, they've passed over a few times.

Last year I drove to work, first hearing about the tragedy through the radio. One tower, two towers, the pentagon.

This year, as I drove through the small town with flags lining main street, I did not listen to the radio.

The assembly at school today was performed in English and Spanish as 500 teenagers stood unusually quiet in a pitch black auditorium with only the flag illuminated as the voices told the story of the day which was but a short year ago. I stood, biting my lip, trying not to let tears run down my cheeks.

The day remained as any other.

On the way home, driving through the path of red, white and blue, I turned on my CD player, and "The Prayer" by Josh Groban and Charlotte Church was playing. I found the lyrics to be an appropriate closing to my day...

Josh Groban - The Prayer (with Charlotte Church)

I pray you'll be our eyes
And watch us where we go
And help us to be wise
In times when we don't know

Let this be our prayer
As we go our way
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your Grace
To a place where we'll be safe
La luce che to dai

I pray we'll find your light
Nel cuore resterò
And hold it in our hearts
A ricordarchi che
When stars go out each night
L'eterna stella sei
Nella mia preghiera
Let this be our prayer
Quanta fede c'è
When shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace 

Give us faith so we'll be safe. 
Sognamo un mondo senza più violenza
Un mondo di giustizia e di speranza
Ognuno dia la mano al suo vicino
Simbolo di pace e di fraternità

La forza che ci dai
We ask that life be kind
E'il desiderio che
And watch us from above
Ognuno trovi amore
We hope each soul will find
Intorno e dentro a sé
Another soul to love

Let this be our prayer
Let this be our prayer
Just like every child
Just like every child

Needs to find a place,
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe
E la fede che
Hai acceso in noi
Sento che ci salverà

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In rememberence...