September 11th

It is hard for me to believe that seven years ago a horrifying event consumed our nation and we have never been the same again.

I remember I was teaching first grade in Provo and I was at an early morning leadership meeting when Mr. Rasmussen came in and told us we better get to a TV because the world was changing. I could not believe what I was seeing nor did I know how I was going to help 20 six year old children to feel safe that day.

Surprisingly the students did very well and made me feel a sense of hope and peace in a time of trouble. Some teachers at our school were so overwhelmed that they had to be sent home and a substitute brought in. Some parents did not send their children to school.

Every chance I got I turned on the news to see what further developments had occurred but I never discussed it or showed it to my students. Because they were so young I felt it was something for their parents to discuss with them first. It was as if the students did not even know it was happening, but I promise you they knew. The students brought a sense of normality on a day that was anything but normal.

As I went home that day I wanted to do something or anything to show my support for those who had lost and those working to recover. The first thing I did was hang a flag on the balcony of my third story apartment. As the week progressed several balconies in the courtyard of my complex hung flags in remembrance and support.

I remember trying to go give blood hoping it might help but the lines of people who wanted to donate were so large they sent me home. Many prayers were said, memorial services given, and a sense of peace that God is aware of us.

The unity and love I felt from every person and for every person during this period of time was so strong and umbrella of God's love was continually manifest.

Henry B. Eyring gave a talk on Prayer in the October conference of 2001. At the time prayer seemed the only way to find peace in a troubled world. Elder Eyring made a comment in the talk that he hoped the need for prayer would last. As I look back on that comment and the events of September 11th I ask myself if the need has lasted. Not only for prayer but also for the love of those around me and the support of a common cause.

As I look back on the tragic events of that day I am grateful for the lesson God has taught me. We need to support each other as if our lives depend on it and then turn to God knowing we can do nothing without him. My prayers go out to those who still suffer.