9/11

I feel compelled to write a short note about the day- it didn't have any effect on me as a child and even now, as I sit here writing- I can't say I miss anyone that died in the towers, or that I even know anyone who knew anyone who died in the attack.

That morning I went to seminary and I remember turning to my friend and saying that I felt like something bad was going to happen that day. But I thought it would be something like an earthquake or a volcano erupting. When I got to school that day I was bouncing around and happy and jubilant, like I always was (I'm a morning person). A teacher had to sit me down and explain that something bad happened and I really should stop acting so happy.

But even as I watched the towers on television, I had no understanding of the impact that the attack would have on America. I had no idea that the attack meant that thousands of people died. All I could comprehend was the material stuff- oh, that plane must have been expensive. Oh, that building is going to cost a lot to fix. Oh, its going to take a long time to get rid of the pile of debris.

It has taken 10 years for me to understand that for every person who got out of the tower, there was someone who got stuck in there. Some people burned to death, some fell to their death, some died instantly, some were crushed under a million pounds of metal and sheet rock. All these people were children of God, and all of them returned to Heavenly Father that day, for better or for worse.

But even worse than the thousands that died in the attack were the thousands of families who lost a brother, sister, mother, father, son or daughter. And the even thousands more who have died fighting a war meant to eradicate the terrorists who killed our loved ones.

Its taken me 10 years and a lot of life experience to grasp the significance of that terrible day. And I don't know if I even really understand it well enough yet.

I am so grateful that I have the fullness of the gospel in my life. I'm grateful to know that we will all be resurrected and that those who lost loved ones in the tower will have the opportunity to see and hold their friends and family again. I'm grateful for the knowledge that families are eternal, and to know that we do get to be with our families forever.

My hear-felt prayers go out to the families who have been affected- directly or indirectly- by the events that occurred 10 years ago. My God bless your lives and bring you peace and joy through your pain and sorrow.