I remember September 11, 2001 like it was yesterday. The day started out normal like every other day in a high school juniors life. After my second period ended and I was headed to the third I ran into Toni Register. I'll never forget it. She said 'Kara the towers in New York have been hit." What?? I replied utterly confused. As she was explaining more I went into a daze trying to take in and understand what she was saying to me. I don't remember much between that and my fifth period class which was English--Mrs. Jean Williams. Because EHS didn't have enough televisions for every classroom, they decided to put most of them in the English classes. I remember my main emotion as been confused--not believing what I was seeing.
Of course the whole school day was pointless. Looking back now, I wish I had left school to go home and watch all of the news coverage. Since we weren't allowed to have cell phones, I didn't get a chance to call my parents until school was out at 3:15. My parents were in Little Rock that day for business. After discussing how horrible the events of the day were, my mother insisted I go get gas immediately. "Even if you have 3/4 of a tank full--go get more. The prices of gas are about to sky rise" she said. So I did. I went to the gas station immediately--and waited in an hour long line to fill my tank. Apparently everyone else in El Dorado was thinking the same thing as my mother.
After I got my tank filled up, I went to Arby's to pick up some dinner. I took it home and as I was eating it my friend, Kaci Hollensworth, called me. "Jesus is coming back" she declared. OMG. You could totally be right!! I thought. We sat and talked for a minute. The whole time I was pondering what I was going to do about Holly. And I felt scared that I didn't have my parents there with me.
My brother called me soon after. He had a lot of tests that day and stayed up all night long studying for them. So when they were finished at 9:00 AM, he went home and slept--until about 6. He called me and was like 'what's going on????' Ummm....our country is under attack and you're just now realizing? {That phone call still gets me. The ultimate 'are you for real?' moment.}
Later that evening, I gathered at the EHS football stadium--with thousands of others--to pray for our country. That day was so surreal that I feel like I hardly comprehended what was going on.
I've always watched Good Morning America in the morning--always....my whole life. Like, even when Joan Lunden was the host. So I was, of course, watching it as I was getting ready for school the weeks following. They did some report on the effects it had on our country and I had a very strong feeling of America being utterly defeated. My heart sunk into my stomach for the USA. Needless to say, I've never felt that for my country again. I feel as if we're stronger than ever now and I truly know what it means when people say they're 'proud to be an American.'
We do live in the best country in the world. I never thought much of it before 9/11. I think about it a lot now. I'm so blessed that my ancestors came here so that I can live the life that I do now. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. God does truly bless the USA.
Watching all of the coverage of 9/11--ten years later has been so sad. I know it sounds weird for me to say this, but I'm glad I was of an age where I was old enough to understand, remember, and comprehend what was going on that day. I feel as if I have an even greater appreciation for my country because of it.
Scott and I have been following the news all day. We watched a 20/20 special on ABC tonight and I totally lost it. Scott had to walk into the bathroom and grab me tissues. Loud sobbing, uncontrollable tears....heartbreaking sadness for those who lost their loved ones. What a horrific and almost unbelievable thing to have happen to our country. It made my heart happy to see that all of them have managed to move on with their lives--can say they're happy now--and had a smile on their faces.
As long as I live, 'We Will Never Forget' will always reign a true statement in this young American's life.
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