Sunday, September 11, 2011

Remembering


Five years ago (2006) I wrote a post about where I was on September 11, 2001. Even at 10 years, I still remember that day with clarity. I think when something so world-changing happens like that, you remember that point in your life. Even then we had a sense that the world would never be the same. Among other things, we were forced to confront the senseless violence and loss of that day. What it means to live in a world where such things happen.

I have not watched any of the documentaries on the events of September 11th today, but I have caught glimpses here and there of images from that day 10 years ago. Even now, they evoke such strong emotions. I keep thinking about the children who said goodbye to their mommies or daddies that morning and never saw them again. Every one of the thousands of people who died that day has a story attached to their lives. They have loved ones who remember the last conversation they had. Honestly, I really don't like to think about all of that, but denying that our world is broken and there is that level of grief just doesn't work either.

My kids aren't old enough yet to know about 9/11. When they are old enough, I wonder what they will think. I know a part of my innocence was lost that day, for better or for worse.

What I do know is that in the midst of the tragedy, there are also stories of resiliency. Of selfless heroes. And I know that God has not abandoned us in this broken world. He not only meets us here, but he has promised to redeem this world and us.

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