we remember. we pray.

i cannot believe it's been 11 years since september 11, 2001.

on that day our nation changed as soon as tragedy struck in the clear blue skies above the commercial center of our country. 500 miles southeast of the city, we felt the aftershocks in my hometown - not literally, of course, but emotionally. and i'm sure you did in yours.

yes, we became even prouder of our homeland. the stars and stripes of the american flag flew high above many more houses than before. we cheered george w. bush that evening as he addressed our grieving, reeling, broken hearted countrymen. we prayed. we watched endless hours of coverage on 9/11. we prayed some more. we hugged our families. i don't think i left my dad's side all night.

we kept praying.

we became accustomed to waiting in longer security lines at airports, seeing yellow ribbons on cars, and pulling over to observe funeral processions honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedom.

and each september 11, we pause throughout the day, recalling where we were when we heard the news.

9:00 a.m. - math class, 12th grade, thought it was an accident.

9:30 a.m. - global history, 12th grade, learned it wasn't.

we continue to pray.

we give thanks for the military, those brave men and women who have fought and are still fighting, and those who have been lost at war. we remember the victims, and we think of their families - the wives and husbands suddenly, instantly widowed, and the children who will not know their mother or father.

each year, i read stories of survivors, people who would never have made it without the sacrifice of another, and it restores my faith in the human race. each year, i read stories of people who did not make it out of the towers, away from the pentagon, who were trapped on planes that terrorists transformed into missiles, who were everyday heroes lost in the line of duty. and i cry. and i pray, because there is nothing else i can do.

mike flies almost every week for work, and he left this morning for omaha. i had nightmares last night, woke up shaking, and was unable to go back to sleep. i prayed some more, and i made him promise to text me immediately upon landing. sometimes he forgets to do this, but i think he knew how freaked out i was today. he is safe out there in middle america. and i pray to say thank you.

so today, i challenge you to do the same - reflect, remember, pay your respects, and pray. if you are not religious, send good thoughts to those people who need comfort. i know you will because we all became one that day, and we are better for it.

{p.s. my friend holly wrote a post today about 9/11 and shared some of the most moving pictures related to that day.}