9/11

Today is a special day, and always will be. I felt it start as I walked outside this morning. I was caught off guard when I noticed a flag in my yard. (At the beginning of the year we donated money to the scouts and in return, they to put a flag in our yard every holiday, such as Flag Day or the Fourth of July.) As I opened the garage door to get the newspaper, the flag waving caught my eye. It took me a second to realize why it was in my yard on this day, then instantly I remembered...it is 9/11. Something that 12 years ago was not a recognized day, but has since become one due to the tragedies that took place 12 years ago today. Being in the schools this year (for my new job), when the pledge of allegiance was being said, I got to stand with my hand on my heart and say the words, "I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which we stand, one nation, under God, indivisible, for liberty and justice for all". Those words never felt as powerful as they did on this day. Then, at the high school, we were asked to continue standing in remembrance of the events that took place 12 years ago and the lives lost that day. Wow! My heart swelled. I felt honored and privileged to stand and pay tribute in my own small way and witness others doing the same. I think of those events. I remember where I was, what I was doing and the overwhelmingly strong desire I had that day to go get my little 1 year old daughter, (who happened to be wearing an American flag shirt and red shorts that day) hug her and hold her near me. I will forever be changed by that day, as will our country.