Where I Was When The World Stopped Turning

September 11, 2001...

I was only 19 years old and still living at home with my parents. Like all teenagers, I was sleeping in that morning when my mom opened up my door and said "Wake up. They're bombing us. Turn on your TV." I was confused and half asleep. I didn't quite understand what was happening. (I think that's something that could be said for the rest of the day as the events unfolded.)

I switched on my tv just moments before watching the 2nd plane hit the Twin Towers. Reporters were confused and they weren't sure they just witnessed another plane hit the building. At that point they weren't positive it was a terrorist attack. There I sat, glued to the television. Horrified to watch and terrified to look away as the buildings came crashing down. There were scenes of people walking in the streets covered head to toe in dust and debris, hardly recognizable as human. They were dazed, distraught and some were hurt. Tears streamed my face as I watched people jump from the buildings in their last futile attempt to escape... or to be put out of their misery. These things just don't happen in our country.

In the days following 9/11, I watched as rescue workers and dogs searched through the rubble for survivors. I waited 3 hours to give blood at our local blood bank because it was the only way I could help. I remember thinking how eerily quiet the skies were without planes and helicopters being permitted to fly. And like every American, I cried and grieved.

And here we are 10 years later after the country's most tragic event. Still standing. Still strong.

Did it shake us? Yes. To the core, and although it's been a decade, the wound still feels fresh to some. We will never forget. But we are America and we will always persevere.

When Sunday comes around, please take a moment for our nation. Pray for those that lost their lives, those that were hurt, their loved ones, for our soldiers fighting for our country and for the rescue workers who put their lives on the line for us every single day. And remember to Thank God and be proud to be an American.