Deb Nelson
ENG180-21
Bronaugh
Fall 2013

Where I was on September 11, 2001
I was sitting in the living room at home watching Good Morning America, and getting my children off to school. At first I could not believe what I was seeing on the TV, it didn’t seem real; then the second plane hit the other tower. Things like this don’t happen in United States. Who would dare attack the United States of America? When I realized that it was real, my thoughts turned to Shawna, was she ok? Was she near the towers? Shawna was a young lady that was serving a mission from our Church, and she was serving in Bronx, and New York City. I tried franticly to call the Mission Office in New York, but the phone lines were overwhelmed with calls, so I could not get through. I kept trying, until finally I reached the Mission Office, and I was told that all of the Missionaries were accounted for and safe, I was relieved. Later that day Shawna called me to let me know that she was ok, and she was in shock, from the events of the day. Shawna told me that a young man that she taught was in one of the towers, and she had just received word that he did not survive. I was heartbroken for her, I wanted to give her a big hug, but that is not possible to do on the phone. Instead, I told her that because she had the opportunity to teach him the gossip, and touch her life, that he too has touched her life, and they will have that connection for eternity. It was hard to watch the news, and to hear the death count rise every time the news came on, but at the same time I could not pull myself away from the TV. I felt helpless, worried, and asking myself how this could have happened here. I like so many other Americans wanted answers; I wanted someone to be accountable for this horrific act. It was difficult to sit by and not be able to help, those who were in need. I kept all of victims, their families, the fire-fighters, and their families, and our government officials in my prayers. I help put together care packages at Church that we sent to New York, and I felt like that was not enough. Then I thought what can I do to honor those that lost their lives that day? The answer that I received was clear, I could honor them by honoring our flag, our country, and by being helpful to those that need a kind word, or a meal, or whatever I am able to provide.