Reader alert: this blog entry is pretty serious and pretty long. Ten years ago today, this country was personally introduced to a horrible word: terrorism. It affected us all. Everyone remembers exactly where they were and what they were doing when the entire country watched in stunned silence as we were attacked. Keaton was in the fourth grade and was only nine years old...definitely too young to hear such an ugly word, let alone to now have it defined and added to his vocabulary. Matt left early that morning to catch a plane for a business trip to Florida. I had just returned from dropping Keaton off at school and was on the phone with another mom talking about a fundraiser for the school. While we were planning the fundraiser, I had the Today Show on (remember that I have a huge crush on Matt Lauer!) for some background noise...and to watch the weather forecast for soccer practice later that evening. I saw the first Twin Tower billowing smoke and was kind of listening to the news reports with half an ear. While still on the phone, I saw the second Twin Tower get struck by the plane. That's when I told the other mom that something really bad was happening and I had to get off the phone. I turned up the volume to hear the news reports and realized that it just wasn't a plane crash...we were deliberately being attacked. My first instinct was to account for my family's whereabouts. I knew Keaton was in school, but my mind started racing trying to figure out where Matt was. While the news reporters were scrambling to relay information and speculation, I ran to the fridge to get Matt's flight itinerary. As reporters were speculating that other planes could be hijacked and become weapons, the Pentagon was hit and another plane crashed in Pennsylvania. When the reporters started speculating that flights out of Chicago could be a probable hijacking, I really started to worry. (Matt's flight was out of O'Hare.) As the FAA was making all planes land as soon as possible, I prayed hard and fast that Matt was on the ground somewhere...anywhere, I didn't care where...just as long as he was safely on the ground. When he was supposed to have landed according to his itinerary, I started calling his cell phone and couldn't get through. All the phone lines were busy. I paced, hit redial, paced, hit redial, paced and hit redial for over an hour. (I have the path on the carpet and gray hair to prove it.) It was a terrible, horrible morning that turned into a terrible, horrible afternoon...until Matt was finally able to get through to me. He had landed safely in Florida (thank God), but was having a hard time getting a call to go through. I don't think I've ever felt such blessed, thankful relief in my life.
So, with a thankful prayer and a heavy heart, I called Keaton's school. I asked the secretary if the teachers were telling the kids about the tragedy. She said some teachers had told the kids when they heard about it from a TV report. I asked her to reassure Keaton that his dad was safe and sound...his plane had safely landed in Florida and I had talked to him (only if Keaton had somehow heard the news). I then left a voice-mail message for Keaton's teacher asking her to do the same...again only if Keaton had somehow heard the news. Well, his class had been told by their gym teacher and Keaton was a little nervous and worried. When Keaton's teacher saw his face after gym class, she immediately pulled him aside and talked to him, reassuring him that his dad was safe and sound. Whew. She was so wonderful...kind, compassionate, and calm. She called me after school to tell me that he was pretty anxious earlier, but was now more calm. She also told me that she had been worried sick, too, waiting to hear from her husband who was also flying that day for business. Thankfully, he safely landed in Pennsylvania...but sadly not far from the crash site.
I hugged Keaton a little harder than normal when he got home from school that day. Soccer practice was cancelled and we just hung out that night...purposely not watching any news footage that could scare Keaton while anxiously waiting by the phone to hear Matt's voice again. He was finally able to get through just before Keaton went to bed, so that was better than a lullaby (or even a sedative) to ensure Keaton had a peaceful, worry-free night's sleep. We weren't sure when Matt would get back home. All flights were cancelled and the trains were booked. Since he had a rental car, he drove home from Florida and finally arrived late on Friday night...actually early Saturday morning. We didn't care...we waited up for him to welcome him home with open arms, hugs, and kisses. I can't tell you what a relief it was to have my little family all together again under one roof.
Ten years ago we all lived in a different world. We weren't viewed as being possible terrorists. We didn't have to go through metal detectors or get patted down to get on a plane. We didn't have to have our bags searched to go into an arena, an amusement park or even a museum. Sadly, we all now see the world through different eyes...eyes that are a little more jaded, a little more distrustful, and sadly, a little more judgmental. I try to see that there are still good people in the world (definitely some crazy ones, but still mostly good ones). I try to see that the world is still wonderful and full of limitless adventures. I try to live my life being unafraid...otherwise the terrorists have won by instilling fear in us all. I won't let terrorists win and make me afraid to travel, afraid of people, or afraid to leave my home. There's still so much to do and see in this incredible country. In my world, everything is still pink, fluffy and full of sparkle!
So, my lesson learned from my reflection of September 11, 2001 is that we must all be thankful for each and every day we're given. I'm thankful that Keaton's move yesterday into Severn Hall was easy...and rain-free. While he was registering, three of his teammates were coming back from the cafeteria and helped us unload the vehicles. Keaton is in a suite with four other guys. It's HUGE! They have five fridges, four TVs, three bedrooms, two couches and one storage closet. (I bet you thought I was going to end with "...and a partridge in a pear tree".) Keaton's room is fairly large for a dorm room...even without their beds being bunked or lofted. Each bed is anchored to the wall and has storage drawers for clothes under it. They each have a big wardrobe and desk to tuck away all their food and other junk they'll collect over the year...or places to stash dirty laundry and food wrappers when I make my unexpected inspections...uh, I mean visits. It was a little easier leaving him now knowing what to expect. I still don't like walking into his bedroom at home, though. It's too empty and quiet. Cyrus is looking around for him and looks out the window every time he hears a car drive by. He'll get used to it once he realizes he can now claim Keaton's room (and bed) as his own.
I'm also thankful for Michigan's unbelievable win over Notre Dame last night. As a matter of fact, Cyrus may be responsible for the big win. As we were watching the last few minutes of the game, I told Matt I was going to put Cy's Michigan jersey on him and take a picture to send to Keaton. When it looked like Notre Dame was going to win, Matt told me to forget the picture. I still put the jersey on Cyrus and snapped a picture anyway...only to watch Michigan come back and score again for the exciting win. Maybe it was a coincidence that Michigan won once Cyrus had on his jersey. Maybe I'm going to put the Michigan jersey on Cyrus every Saturday. Maybe Michigan should make Cyrus its new lucky charm and give us season tickets. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Go Blue!
