"These are the times that try men's souls." ~ Thomas Paine

Just like you  - I will never forget where I was and what I was doing 10 years ago on this day.

I was in Palm Springs, in a hotel room.

I turned on The Today Show and saw the first tower billowing with scary black smoke.  My first thought was "what a terrible accident!"

Then in stunned disbelief, I watched as the second plane crashed into the WTC.  My second thought was "get me home to my babies!"

Brent had a business trip and I had joined him.  Grandma Joyce was home with the two kids.  Maddie was six and Davis was two and a half.

Luckily we had driven to CA and were not held captive by the grounding of all flights.  We got in the car and drove home wondering what had just happened and what does this mean?  I remember it was a bit of a deary day as we got closer to home; gray clouds and intermittent raindrops.  It seemed the skies provided the perfect background for the emotions that rocked my heart. 

I remember the radio was on while we drove; tuned to a country station.  The DJ seemed to be playing sad songs that only added to the melancholy atmosphere.

We arrived home and I wrapped my babies in my arms.  Their little lives had gone on as though nothing had happened.  In the couple days that we had been gone, Davis had stopped needing his binki and Maddison was having grand fun learning how to be 1st grader.

As the years would pass, I have tried to teach them of this day.   I have also wondered if they will experience a "9/11" during their adult years that would bring a whole new perspective and personal gratitude to freedom and the blessing of being an American. 

Today our elementary school provided a patriotic assembly, complete with stories and beautiful songs of our founding forefathers and the brave men and women who fought first and long ago for our freedoms.
It was so well done.  The kiddos were a sea of red, white and blue and they were singing with all they could muster "I'm Proud to be an American".  It was sweet and full of innocence. 

I had a lump in my throat most of the day. 

I'm glad to remember, to give thanks, to be grateful and committ again to value the gift given by our founding fathers...

freedom designed by a loving Father in Heaven.