Remembering 9/11

My oldest was just six months old. He had been up in the night so we were still asleep a few minutes after 8:00 when my sister called.

“Hello?” I was so groggy.

“We’re being attacked!” she announced.

“What? What are you talking about?” Confusion sets in, really fast.

“We’re being attacked. They got two buildings in New York! They flew airplanes into them!"

“Are you serious?” Sitting up, searching for glasses. Panic and shock settling in.

“Yes. President Bush is about to talk…I’ll call you back–”

Click.

I rushed down stairs and turned the TV on. I stared at it in disbelief. I remember thinking, "This can’t really be happening. What is going to happen?"

I remember holding my baby boy close to me, and breathing in his sweet spirit. I remember crying with him, and calling Bryan at work. He knew, and was waiting for more details.

I was strengthened by President Bush’s words: "We will not fear. We will not falter. We will not fail."

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news

On September 11, 2001. Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.'

I held his fingers steady as he dialed.

I gave him the peace to say,

'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK..I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children.

I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help.

'I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said. 'Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls.

I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer.

I was with the crew as they were overtaken.

I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan .

I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.

Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face.

I knew every name - though not all know Me.

Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor..

Some sought Me with their last breath.

Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... This way... Take my hand.'

Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day.

You may not know why, but I do.

However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you.

But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well.

Seek Me now while I may be found.

Then, at any moment, you know you are 'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

-Stacey Randel

I got this poem and images in an email from a friend, and thought I would share them.