Several years ago, Stacy Owens Ekstein had an account of her 911 experience, and it was published in the Tyler County Booster. I also viewed the production that she, her husband and Lucas Babin produced. I had wondered what happened after 911, so their firsthand account was very insightful. They talked about people being lost and living in a stupor not knowing what to do. It was all so very sad.
We had a very young friend who became part of our family, and she served as a Chaplain. She arrived in New York City two days after 911. She said her boots had to be changed regularly because of the heat damage while at ground zero. She also said that while you wanted to cry, the masks they wore made that very difficult. And then there was the smell of death.
I have interviewed people who have been involved in other tragedies and asked them how they coped. They would say that you “just did”. You stayed busy but then it might hit you later that you were spared or that you lost some very dear friends in the tragedy.
If we could interview those who survived December 7, 1941, what would they say? My wife’s uncle wrote a book about that day and his service as a Marine. He said was proud he had served and survived. But many didn’t.
Twenty-one years later the people who went through that terrible day are still affected by it.
What happened after 911 for you? Did 911 make a difference in your life?
Think about James 4:13, 14. Look here, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit. How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it's here a little while, then it's gone.”
Do you remember April 19, 1995. Two cowards killed at least 168 people and injured more than 680 others. The Alfred P. Murrah Federal building in Oklahoma City, OK was all but destroyed.
I was at a prison workshop in 2000. We were taken to the site where it happened. At dusk the chairs that represented the little children who died that day, were lit up. There wasn’t a dry eye.
But then, there are those who weren’t killed that day. One couple stopped to drop off his dry cleaning at 9:00. Think about it. 9:01, 9:02 and your dead.
hen today is the 25th anniversary of almost 3,000 people perishing.
On this day... 25 years ago 246 people went to sleep in preparation for their morning flights. 2,606 people went to sleep in preparation for work in the morning. 343 firefighters went to sleep in preparation for their morning shift. 60 police officers went to sleep in preparation for morning patrol. 8 paramedics went to sleep in preparation for the morning shift. None of them saw past 10:00am Sept 11, 2001. In one single moment life may never be the same. As you live and enjoy the breaths you take today and tonight before you go to sleep in preparation for your life tomorrow, kiss the ones you love, snuggle a little tighter, and never take one second of your life for granted.
We will never forget!
John 16:33: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
How faithful are you?
When you are in the fire.
When you are in the Lions' Den.
When you are in the dark.
