Honoring the 9/11 Fallen

Tomorrow marks the 5-year anniversary of the day that approximately 3,000 Americans simultaneously had their lives taken senselessly and violently. The world has never been and will never be the same due to this horrible tragedy. We are much more guarded now as we enter our office buildings. We are much more cognizant of our surroundings as we board subways, buses, trains and airplanes. We no longer take strangers at face value in public situations. Our entire livelihood has changed over the past 5 years.

I've been thinking all week about what it is that I can do to pay tribute to those who are no longer with us due to the events of that day. There will be lots of events commemorating 9/11 tomorrow. Even if we aren't able to make it to one of the memorial services, or observe a moment of silence at the exact time of morning that the tragedy began 5 years ago, I still believe that there are other ways to honor the victims.

Tomorrow, as I'm getting my family ready to leave the house and begin our day, I will think of the victims. I will remember to hug and kiss my kids as if I won't see them again. I will remember to focus on my hubby's eyes a little longer before I dash out of the door, and hold him in my arms as hard as I can before I let him go. I will do my best to make sure that they know everything that I feel for them before they go out into the cruel, harsh world tomorrow. Most of the victims of 9/11 never got the chance to say 'goodbye' and 'I Love You' to those that meant the most to them; not with the kind of finality that their imminent situation would have prompted them to. I intend to do what it is that they would do if they had one more chance. There will be thousands upon thousands of family members, friends, co-workers, etc,...reliving the nightmare all over again tomorrow. Please say a special prayer for them.

Also, please remember to keep singer/songwriter/evangelist Tammy Trent in your prayers as well. 5 years ago today (Sept 10), her husband of 11 years passed away in a scuba diving accident while they were vacationing in Jamaica. On the same day that we were all living and trying to grasp the 9/11 tragedy, her husband's death was being confirmed by police and divers while she was over a thousand miles from home. I pray that she is somewhere right now at peace and that the Holy Spirit is carrying her through the memories of that day and each day she spent with her husband.

God Bless you all.