Where Were You? - Reflections

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children?
Or working on some stage in LA?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor?
Or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?

Did you burst out with pride
For the red white and blue
And the heroes who died just doing what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, Hope and Love are some good things
He gave usAnd the greatest is Love

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Teaching a class full of innocent children?
Or driving down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor?
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?
Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened?
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages?
Speak with some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow?
Go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent home movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers?
Stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family?
Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is Love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is Love

And the greatest is Love
And the greatest is Love

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?

I *still* cry every time I hear this beautiful song by Alan Jackson. In fact, I'm typing through tears now. I believe September 11th affected us all, and will continue to do so, but for me - and many other military wives and families - it has completely changed our lives in ways that some just wouldn't understand.

Rewind to that day. I remember sitting on the couch with a cup of coffee and the newspaper. I distinctly remember thinking, "Wow, this is kinda nice. Today is the first day in a long time that I have some time to myself. " The kids were back in school, my hubby had left over the weekend to go to Mayport, FL - he was on an inspection team that happened to be on the John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier that day. The TV was off, I was enjoying some quiet time.

Next thing I know the phone is ringing. My mother-in-law was frantic. I didn't even get a "Good morning, how are you?" It was, "How's this going to affect S?" "Um, how's what going to affect him, Mom?" She proceeded to explain as I turned on the TV, and right as I did the second plane went into the tower.

I sat paralyzed and glued to my seat in front of the television. Word came quickly about the other two planes - the Pentagon and Pennsylvania. It was also quickly announced that the JFK, which was on routine work-ups off the coast of Florida, had been re-routed to NYC. My hubby eventually got off the ship before it ended up in NYC - but we did have a communication blackout for almost a week.

I can't imagine what it was like for the families that lost loved ones. However, I do know what it's like to have loved ones in places of danger . The dread and fear that accompany those feelings are completely different ones that I wish upon no one.

So how did my life change because of 9/11? My husband, after serving almost 20 years in the Marine Corps and never having actually been to a "war" or skermish, left for Iraq - the first time in 2004. He "celebrated" his 20 year anniversary with the Corps, and our 17th wedding anniversary while there. He was home for little over a year and is now back there again. He will "celebrate" our 19th anniversary while there also.

He goes because it is his job. As we grow older, our values and our minds change - we see things differently than we did years ago. I had a family member say to me not too long ago, "He's been in for 22 years. Why don't they send the young ones?" Well, they do. But, who is going to train and mentor the young ones? They need our senior military members to guide them and be there with them. That's why he's there.

I had an assignment a few years back - at SU! Leadership as a matter of fact - that was to make a list of the people in leadership positions that we most respected. Many people were putting down people such as Martin Luther King, Ronald Reagan, Shelli Gardner, etc. And while I do respect many of those people also, the person at the top of the list was my hubby. I have seen him with his troops over the years, and I have talked with so many people who truly respect him and say that he has changed their lives for the better. That's why he's there...

As a mother, it has been difficult recently for me to hear these words from my oldest - "Mom, I want to follow Dad and join the Marines." His father and I have talked about it a lot over the years and I think deep down we both knew it was inevitable. My son goes on to say "I don't want to be a grunt, I want to do what Dad does." "I know that unless things change in the next couple of years, I will be going to Iraq." Wow... as a wife I handle it - as a mother I don't know what I would do! By the time he joins and would go, his dad will most likely be retired and home with me for good. At least then I'll have some support here at home.

I sit back and reread what I have written today and I see no succession or point. It looks to me like a lot of rambling. I don't really seem to get the point that I was trying to make across. It does feel good to get it out though.

Guess I need to go stamp....