I was a college student. I was in my last year of college before student teaching. I was taking afternoon/night classes.

I woke up that morning when my 3 year old jumped into my bed. I drug myself out of bed. I had stayed up late writing a paper and reading a book about the evils of phonics (yes, really! Required reading, I promise!)

I got the baby out of bed and turned on the television so my daughter could watch Dragon Tales while I made breakfast. Only, something on television caught my attention. There were news reporters going on about the WTC being hit by a plane. I stood watching, shocked at the horrible accident!

Finally, I brought my daughter to another room and put on Aristocats for her to watch. I went back to the television with my 9 month old in my arms. I was glued to the tv.

I’ll never forget the moment that second plane crashed into the second building. The moment I realized that it was no accident. I just sat on the couch, clinging to my baby. What was going on? I remember watching Peter Jennings and listening somewhat to what he was saying. I remember thinking he seemed just as dazed and shocked as I was.

The phone rang. I answered. It was my mother.

“Bethany, what is going on? We keep hearing things about a war and America being attacked! What is up? Is it an internet hoax?”

“You’re not going to believe this! Two airplanes crashed into the World Trade Center!”

As I spoke the television went to Washington D.C. and showed the Pentagon.

“Oh no!” I shouted into the phone. “The Pentagon was just hit!”

“You are kidding me!” my mother cries.

We get off the phone. She has a class full of children to attend to. As much as she wanted to stay and talk she had to take care of those kids. And protect them somewhat from figuring out that all the adults in the school were very distrubed over something.

I’ll never forget the moment when the first tower crashed. I stood in the doorway of the living room and began praying. All those people! All those people! And that was when I cried. I began sobbing thinking about how many people were still in the buildings.

My mother called back. “Are you going to school today?”

I couldn’t decide. It seemed silly to go to school. To continue with a normal life. I had no idea what to do.

Eventually, I decided to go. I listened to the radio all 45 minutes of that interstate drive. I remember my classmates being shocked, numb. Noone knew what to say. Noone could stop talking. People had misty eyes. I remember being sick and having to go to the bathroom in the middle of class when I realized one of my classmates had a husband who had been doing construction work on the Pentagon and she hadn’t heard from him. Even my liberal professor admitted to praying hard that day.

Everything after that was a fog. I don’t remember when things happening specifically. I remember the war protests. I remember two Saudi Arabian students at our school being threatened and a football player standing up for them. I remember the dj’s playing patriotic songs. I remember the blood donation lines. I remember American flags being everywhere. I remember putting one on my car. I remeber going to practicums and the teachers leading their class in prayer. I remember noone being concerned with the fact that they weren’t supposed to be praying at school. I remember my daughter asking why the planes crashed into the castles. I remember trying to decide how much to let my daughter know…how much to protect her from. I remember the church being packed the next Sunday.

I remember the first time I heard this song…..and having to pull over on the side of the road and cry after hearing it.

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site 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 in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to 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 us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
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 love her
Did you dust off that bible at home
Did you open your eyes and 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 old movie you’re watching
And turn on “I Love Lucy” reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
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

The greatest is love
The greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

~Alan Jackson

Tuesday, September 11, 2001 is certainly a day that I will not soon forget.