The eve of sorrow

Tomorrow is September 11th. Wikipedia states that 2,974 people died in the terrorist attacks, not counting the very terrorists that took those lives. Another 24 are missing and presumed dead. For most of the family members of those 2,998 people, today was the last day they shared with their loved one. The final dinner, the last bath and story time with the kids, the final goodnight kiss...

I'm sure most, if not all of us remember where we were and what we were doing when we first heard that an airplane had flown into one of the World Trade Towers. I, like many of you, had the TV on when that second plane flew into the other building. That was when the sinking realization hit that maybe, just maybe, this was no terrible accident after all...

Our country has been spared further attacks...our military is vigilant, our government watchful. I am grateful. My Sweet Hubby and I live in a military town. Many of our neighbors are fighter pilots. They leave their families behind for months on end in service to our great Nation. I am grateful. We listen to Navy jet noise throughout most of the day and night. They fly training missions over our house at all hours - sometimes waking us up. But they're ours and I'm grateful.

My Sweet Hubby and I will be flying the American flag tomorrow, in honor of those 2,998 men and women that died so abruptly and senselessly 7 years ago. I pray their families have found peace and comfort over the years.

I received the following in an email from my best friend this past week and decided to save it for today's blog. There is no credit for the author; it appears to be one of those random things that floats through cyberspace.

'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.

I know you join me in praying for the families of those lost, the men and women who pledge their lives to protect us, their families who sacrifice so much and the leaders of our great country. May God bless them and keep His hand of protection on them all. Amen.