September 11, 2006

This picture was taken in 2002, when Earl and I took the opportunity to visit the makeshift memorial for the passengers of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
It has been five years since, well, 9/11/01. Though my blog was brand new at the time, I didn’t have a chance to write that day. I did write a brief entry the following day and this line sticks out:

“I believe our lives changed yesterday at 8:48 a.m. forever.”

The world has become seemingly more complicated since the attacks. I wonder if things will ever get back to “normal”.

Update @12:33 p.m. – I just read Joe.My.God.’s account of September 11. Remembering the events of five years ago today feels like you’re pulling a scab off a wound. It’s still there, it’s just been covered up a while as it tries to heal. Seeing the pictures and reading his account, as well as others on the web, still make me tear up. Recollecting the trip Earl and I made to Shanksville, Pennsylvania in 2002 to honor those on Flight 93 still brings a lump to my throat.

I haven’t watched the CNN Pipeline real-time coverage from 9/11/01. I don’t think I really want to. My memory provides me all the coverage I need and I feel while it’s very important to remember the event and to honor those that passed on, it’s also important for us to look forward in search of that brighter future.

If you squint and I squint, we both will be able to see it lying ahead on the path before us.

It was 5 a.m. Earl and I were sound asleep enjoying the cool September air. Tom was perched next to my side, sound asleep as well. I was dreaming of pleasant things.

And then the phone rang.

My supervisor was calling from work. He had a family emergency and needed me to work the early shift this morning. While it’s not the best way to kick off a work week, sometimes you have to do what you have to do.

So now it’s a little after six and I’m fully dressed, somewhat awake and watching the sunrise.

Wake up me up for lunch.