MAKING THE DIFFERENCE...9/11

IN HONOR OF LIVES SACRIFICED, PUBLIC WORKERS AND VOLUNTEERS


Eleven years ago today, our world changed as we knew it. I will never forget September 11, 2001 I was at home on maternity leave and I was asleep with my 18 month old daughter lying by my side. It was two weeks to the day before my last child would be born on September 25, 2001. The phone rang waking me from a deep sleep, and my mother was on the other line hysterically asking if I was watching TV. I told her no I had been asleep and she began talking in rapid-fire tones that I could not understand. I grabbed the remote control not sure what was happening because she was in Atlanta and at that time I was living in Ohio.
Turning on the TV I still could not understand my mother as I tried to make out what the reporters were saying. Finally, it all came clear two planes had hit the Twin Towers in New York. I became extremely frightened not sure what this meant. I called my son’s school first to no avail they were not taking calls and I eventually learned the school was on lockdown. Then I called my husband who was at work at the moment to make sure that he was okay, he was watching it on TV with his co-workers and boss. I began praying for all those victims, the city of New York, my family, myself, my husband, son, daughter, and my unborn son. Lord, I began to inquire, ‘what type of world am I bringing him into’ and would we even still be here in two weeks. I experienced a series of anxiety attacks that day as I stayed glued to the television around the clock.
The news was filled with people crying and walking around dazed and stricken. Firemen, police officers, public service workers, and volunteers of all sorts filled the streets of New York trying to help wherever possible. My heart went out to them and I was filled with an amazing surge of love for these complete strangers. I still cannot shake some of the sounds I heard on my television to this day. I think it will forever haunt me.
Reports filtering out later detailed that the United Airlines Flight 93 was taken control by four hijackers with the intent of piloting the plane into the United States Capitol Building. However, a group of determined passengers working together overcame their fears and made a stand. Through faith, determination, and teamwork the hijackers’ plans were thwarted. The plane crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania at 10:03 that morning. Everyone aboard that flight died, but not before the passengers put up a good fight and deterred the hijackers’ plans. Many lives were lost that day and so many more could have been had it not been for the strength and determination of those aboard United Airlines Flight 93.
All too often we take life for granted. We never know when we will be called to duty, to make a stand for what we believe in, or to fight for the rights of others. It is because of that selfless act of sacrifice that group aboard Flight 93 made that saved thousands of other lives. Their families and loved ones are mourning their loss until this day, but I honor them for their courageous acts of sacrifice. We never know the outcome of our decisions and choices that we make in this life. But we must be ready at any given moment to be the best that we can be at all times. It doesn’t matter if no one is watching or if the entire world is tuned in to our actions, we are called for a purpose. And we have an obligation to be our best, whatever that best may be to begin making the difference in this world.
JUST A PIECE OF THIS WRITER...
C. MICHELLE RAMSEY