September 11, 2010

I woke this morning with the date heavy on my mind. September 11 always takes me back. I remember driving home from Holy Trinity. I was sitting at the light at Brownsboro Road and Zorn Ave. when my brand new cell phone rang. I was 8 months pregnant with Emily, and the cell was new in case I needed Kirk at the last minute. What did we do before cell phones?

Anyway, it was my sister, Colleen. "Sharron, are you watching the news? A plane just crashed into the World Trade Center!"

I wasn't really sure what the World Trade Center was and had no idea where it was, so she filled me in. "Turn on your radio," she said.

I drove the rest of the way home listening to the news. It was on every station. When I got inside, I turned on the television and watched in horror as smoke and flames poured out of the North Tower. I called Colleen. Shock like this had to be shared.

"Those poor people!" I said. "Can you imagine? How are they going to get down?"

"What if your husband worked on the top floors?" she replied.

"Those poor people," I said again.

We sat in silence on the phone together, watching different stations in case one had some news that the other didn't, answering the other lines when someone would beep in to make sure we knew what was going on. Then the second plane hit and fear set in. Her channel showed someone falling. Mine did not. My channel was the first to report on the Pentagon. We watched the towers fall and wondered if anyone could survive. We learned about Flight 93. It was like that all morning, and together we watched in horror as our world changed. I knew my baby would be born into a different time...life after 9/11.

Each year, I relive those events in my mind and turn on the tv to watch the memorials and the replays and see us before we were what we are now, when every plane crash or explosion wasn't first considered to be an act of terrorism.

There wasn't much on yesterday. It has been nine years after all. People have moved on, life has continued.

So I was sitting on the bleachers at football practice yesterday morning looking out across the field when a big Southwest Airline plane came into view. Then another plane flew by. At first, I thought it was odd that planes were flying today. I thought it was odd that anything was going on today, on the anniversary of such a horrible day, but there we were...at football practice or work or shopping or flying to another place...continuing on with life. Cars were driving by on Poplar Level Road. Fans were coming into the stadium for a soccer game later in the afternoon. I even read in the paper that some folks were getting married today. And that is how it should be. That is what makes us strong. We remember, yes, but we move on. I like that about us.

For Sale

For Sale:

Nice three bedroom house on a quiet street. Master bedroom has two big closets perfect for hiding in or storing family treasures. One large bedroom excellent for sharing with siblings, dogs, or cats. Smaller room perfect for a studious type with just enough room for a twin bed, dresser, and a desk. Two full baths. Large hall bath can hold up to four adult women and a cat comfortably. The double sinks and large mirror allow for excellent opportunities to preen. Tub holds three small children and several toys at one time and makes a fabulous swimming pool, checkout lane, or pet wash.

Large living room has four nice corners perfect for holding toys on Christmas morning. Triple windows allow for beautiful display of lights and decorated tree during the holiday season. Wood floors underneath carpet are great for sock skating. Dining room makes excellent venue for holiday parties, birthdays, and showers. Holds eight people comfortably and ten if you push it, but crowds make everything more fun.

Good size family room with fireplace. Very cozy in the winter with a roaring fire and cookies on the hearth. Fireplace big enough for Santa to slide down on Christmas Eve. Nice eat-in kitchen allows for large congregations of people to stand around and help prepare dinner. Stove near the back door welcomes guests with wonderful aromas at Thanksgiving and other special occasions. Extensive counter space gives plenty of room for pot luck dinners with several dishes. Open bar area to family room allows those watching ball games to interact with those cooking the food.

Large basement, formerly a roller rink, now perfect for parties, movies, and sleepovers. Space for pool or ping pong table as well as television, record player, and speakers. Plenty of room for dancing and dramatic performances. Area in storage room makes excellent school with space for desks, chalkboard, and bookshelves. Laundry room shelves are great for storing canned summer produce such as green beans, pickles, okra, and jams. Deep freezer, large enough to hold frozen strawberries, peaches, blueberries, corn, jellies, cookies, apple pies, zucchini bread and leftovers, to remain.

Two car garage can hold two cars or one car and a lot of stuff or no cars and a whole lot of stuff. Plenty of room for old roll top desks and/or upright pianos. Makes excellent concert hall or pretend office. Garage is cool in the summer and cold in the winter. Perfect for that almost-frozen canned soft drink in winter months.

Large corner lot allows for mingling with neighbors on two streets. Fenced yard is nice for holding dogs, kids, swimming pools, swing sets, and any number of other play items. Space in the yard for an extensive garden in which to grow delicious tomatoes, green beans, peppers, zucchini, squash, green onions, and gourds. Also excellent place for composting coffee grounds, banana peels, and egg shells.

Huge yard great for games of whiffle ball, spotlight, frozen catchers, machine gunners, snowball fights, forts, and tree climbing. Not good for push mowing. A riding mower is highly recommended.

Well-loved home is ideal for young family with small children looking for a wonderful place to grow up. Guaranteed to create lots of happy memories and special moments.

Call today to schedule a viewing.