10 Years later - Where were you when the world stopped turning

I cannot claim to have survived the attack on the Twin Towers on 9/11, I was not there. Like many others that day I was at home watching the events unfold before me. I sat quietly on my couch sipping tea with honey in it. Watching, stunned, not trusting what I was seeing on TV as the second plane flew into the towers.  Shortly after 10 A.M. my home phone started ringing. The first call was my boss. He was calling in disbelief, as shocked as I, but happy I was safe. My parents called next, not sure where I was and trying to reach my wife to find me. When my wife got home from work with our kids we sat on the couch together not saying a word just holding each other.

I should have been there, I was scheduled to be there, but I wasn’t. I had some sort of bug that left me feverish, with a sore throat and pounding headache. I had called my boss on Monday morning to reschedule my trip. I rebooked my flights, changed my reservation at the Marriot World Trade Center and rebooked my rental car. I went back to bed and slept until Tuesday morning.

On Thursday the 13th I hit the road for work. Not able to fly to my client sites I had to drive. My route took me past "ground zero" as it was now being called. It was surreal to drive past and not see the towers on the skyline or contrails in the sky. My trip wound down the east coast eventually ending in Birmingham, AL. I was exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally. I was able to turn in my rental car and catch the first flight back to Boston. The first flight once flight operations had been restored at a reduced volume. There were perhaps only a dozen of us on the flight. The security screening process took almost 45 minutes. Every bit of my luggage was opened, every pocket turned inside out, my laptop opened, powered up and the battery removed. I was searched thoroughly enough that in some countries the security guard and I would now be considered married.

A lot has changed in our country and across the globe as a result of those events 10 years ago. So many people have had their lives changed forever. I'd like to think that somehow some good has come from all of this, that somewhere right now somebody is  doing something that changes the world. Something so earth shattering, something so good and pure that when he or she says "because of the events of 9/11 I was able to..." the world will burst out in tears of sorrow and joy.

To quote Alan Jackson - "Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?"
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or working on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Risin' 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
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and 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 on that September day?
Were you teaching a class full of innocent children
Or 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 loved her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?
Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Or speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Or go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
Did you 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
And the greatest is love.
And the greatest is love.
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?