Picture taken in the 9/11 museum on my trip to New York in July 2011
I spent the greater part of the weekend, like most of you, watching coverage on the dedication of the memorial sites for September 11. It is definitely the most significant moment in history for my generation and will forever be one of those “I can remember exactly where I was and what I was doing” moments.
I felt horrible for wanting to watch as much of the coverage as I did — stories were retold and images were revisited. I felt like I shouldn’t want to watch, but I couldn’t tear myself away.
There have been a ton of posts this weekend where people shared their 9/11 stories. They are all valuable and need to be documented, but for me – the 10th anniversary of September 11th and my take on it took an interesting twist yesterday.
We were about to get ready for church and I was in the bed propped up on pillows. Don and the kids had made me breakfast in bed – which was a wonderful gesture on it’s own, but it allowed me to watch the coverage uninterrupted too (which I appreciated just as much!) I had it on CNN. Family members were reading the names of the deceased and I was moved at the professionalism and maturity shown by each and every one.
Just as I was about to MAKE myself turn the channel to begin getting everyone showered, Avery crawled up on the bed. I could tell by his puzzled look that he didn’t know what was going on.
Me: “Avery, do you know anything about September 11?”
Avery; “Yes! A plane crashed into the Pentagon.”
Ahh … I had forgotten that my in-laws had taken the kids to Washington, DC this summer. He obviously gathered that piece on information on his trip.
Me: “Do you know what happened in New York – I mean – with the World Trade Centers?”
He did not.
I began to explain about how tall they were and how thousands of people worked there every day and they were a central figure of architecture in our country.
Avery responded, almost automatically, “I know what happened! The pilot was trying to fly in between the buildings and he missed and accidentally hit one of them.”
Childhood innocence.
Assuming that no one would ever hurt or destroy another life on purpose.
Isn’t that what our world is missing today? If we could all just get along and see the world through the eyes of our kids – how would we be different?
I’ve decided to take that approach, or TRY to take that approach more often. Do I automatically assume the worst or do I give the benefit of the doubt? Do I jump to the conclusion that someone is out to get me or even give a second thought that perhaps it was a misunderstanding?
More life lessons from my kids. Thank you, God, for using them to shape me every day!
