In Remembrance of 911- 20 Years Later

20 years... 

It has been TWENTY years since what is considered to be one of the most tragic events in American history. 

And for the past few days, I have been thinking about it. 

I wrote a few years ago about the immense sense of unease and foreboding I felt for a time prior to the event. I won't rehash my thoughts here (click here for old post regarding it), but what made it so complex is that I had taken a flight two days before the tragedy. I remember feeling awful inside, but the issue wasn't me flying anywhere. 

Then the event happened. And I understood. 

And here I stand some 20 years later. I woke up this morning and did my usual things. I spent about 20 minutes praying about a few things, and about the day in general. I got dressed and walked 2.5 miles. 

And I thought back to the day of the tragedy. And I thought about how I just didn't know that day that I would be where I am 20 years from then, right now. Only God knows. I was thankful for Him keeping me and never forsaking me. For showing grace through all my hard and complicated spaces. 

Over the years, I have said how shocked I have been that we have not had more terror attacks. I am thankful for that. We have had so many more tragedies over the years, some of which we have become desensitized to. But the gravity of such a sudden terror attack, one that changed our security measures forever... wow... I am just stunned that this hasn't occurred more often. 

It is so hard to stave off the fear of what tomorrow brings, the fear of the unknown. 

Tomorrow isn't promise. Neither is the rest of the day.

Today I pray for the comfort of those who lost loved ones on that fateful day. 

Today I pray for all of us that live with the memories, the residual effects of that day. 

And I am thankful for we have not experienced that level of tragedy in the last 20 years. 

And let's hope we never will again.