9/11 All over Again - but now Stronger!

It is another 9/11 anniversary and the vision remains.  What were you doing when the world stopped spinning?  It seems like yesterday in many ways and then in others it seems like an eternity.

The World Trade Center - both towers..... I have been there at least 3 times in my past.  I've had dinner at the top of the World Trade Center in the awesome revolving restaurant.  I am so glad I had the opportunity to say I had been there.  But that made me feel so much closer to what happened.

I had taken the subway to the dinner event at the World Trade Center restaurant each time and thought about not only the people who worked in the Towers on that awful day, but the visitors too.

Here is my first reactions:  (probably each person has a similar very real remembrance)  :

• It was around 7:45 central time and I was home alone getting ready to go to a Dentist Appointment.  I had the TV on in the bathroom.  I saw the first plane hit and went hysterical.  Something inside me knew this was not right for a plane to be in the airspace in this part of NYC.  
• I immediately called my now x husband at work and was crying so hard he could barely understand me - he told me to calm down that it was probably nothing.  That statement of course was very wrong.  He was not watching what I was seeing.  
• I worried about my son Jacob who was already at school and was about 15 at the time.  How would he react to this?  
• Then I saw the 2nd plane hit and I knew it was no accident - it was definitely what I thought to begin with - terrorist.  
• Then I listened to Jim Miklaszewski - NBC news anchor covering the Pentagon - and then it happened again while he was talking - he heard a rumble......THE Pentagon was hit!! 
• I hated that day and still do! 
• My life changed since 9/11 in so many ways:  
• Travel both domestic and International was very different - I cried when I saw National Guard armed with machine guns at OUR Birmingham Airport!!!  I had been to Columbia South America and saw that before 9/11 but then thought... Wow how lucky we were that was not part of "our" lives :( 
• I looked at ALL the people impacted by that horrible day - the heroes and the lost.  Also those who were there and witnessed it all but did survived, how inspiring those people were!!!  
• I got separated after 25+ years of marriage - not related to 9/11 but was life changing to me.  
• I got a divorce 2 years later - 
• I got laid off from a 25+ years employment at Drummond. Again - life changing... 
• I managed to get a great job with CTS - but was laid off again.... life changing... 
• I got a great Consulting job with a company based outside of DC - but the Bham arrangement with Jefferson County lasted  a little over a year - then had a choice of moving to DC area or no job - could not move at the time due to family reasons.  
• Got a great job with BBVA Compass -full time !  
• My Mom has had serious health problems that was very challenging to me as her only child.  Very life challenging!  
• After 5 years at Compass - time to leave so I left for a job at Regions.  
• I am still Single..... but much stronger as an individual than I was at time of 9/11.  
• Wonder - what is next???  Only GOD knows - and he is MY STRENGTH thru everything.  WHAT IS YOURS?  

After listening to many of the 9/11 survivors or other Crisis survivors - I have learned that there is truth in the saying -what doesn't kill you makes you STRONGER!!

WE NEED TO ALL BE STRONGER - so hold on to your true beliefs and love each over!  Let's make every day count to be a BLESSING to ourselves and especially to OTHERS!!!!

Over 2700 people lost their lives - so very sad but that happens every day!  We all need to realize the people our path's cross each day has a story and could have had a very tragic situation happen.  Show care and love to all you meet!  You NEVER KNOW!

God Bless OUR Country!!!

Deb - 9/11/2014