My Heart Still Skips a Beat

10 years ago today, my world changed ... as did many people's world. As I explained to my children, bad guys took over our planes and drove them into buildings and killed thousands of Americans. Then told them that some brave Americans prevented a plane from hitting the White House. Then I got to tell them that after 10 long years of battling, we finally killed the bad guy that was behind the attack. I know that I am skipping over a lot of details but I just don't want to ruin their innocence. I don't want them thinking they can't go out and play without fear.


I tell ya though, watching different documentaries today, reading through people's diaries, reading status updates .. my heart still skips a beat and my eyes still well up with tears. I ache for those who have lost loved ones. I ache for those who were there that day. I ache for those who have lost loved ones battling against a war that not everyone supported. A good friend of mine from 4-H signed up for  the military right after 9/11 and was sent to Afghanistan. 2 years and 14 days after the terrorist attacks, his young wife was left a widow and a single mom of an infant. It breaks my heart. A lot of people compare 9/11 to Pearl Harbor, but after reading my older sister's blog about my grandparent's standpoint ... it reminded me, America at least KNEW there was a war going on. 9/11 caught us off guard. It was out of left field ... or as I call it, it was a low blow.

2001 ended really rough for my family. First we were rocked with 9/11 and then right before Christmas, my grandmother passed away. So, in response to my older sister's blog, and my wise grandfather's response to Pearl Harbor ...

9/11/01 marked 1 year after my husband and I started dating. 3 months later he got a job up in KC and we became engaged. So this anniversary of 9/11, I choose to remember that I have had a wonderfully supportive husband beside me through the worst of times and the best of times. We will celebrate our 10 year anniversary next May. As I wipe away my tears today from remembrance, I know that *I* still have a husband to hold me, *I* still have children that love me, and *I* still live in a free country. I don't think I could ask for more.