It doesn't seem possible that its been a year since the attack on the United States... that day is still very much burned into my mind.  I still remember Judy in my office running over and telling us that a plane hit the World Trade Center... and we just looked at her like what in the world is she talking about... never thinking that it was intentional!  Then Lyn talking to Bill from Two World Trade Center in our office that was on the 87th floor... telling us that they were telling them to stay there that the building was secure and go back to your office...but they decided they were going to leave anyhow!  Thankfully, not all of our co-workers were in the office yet when the plane hit the second tower, but we did have 8 co-workers in the building when the second plane hit though.  Unfortunately, seven did not make it out, John was the only one to get out, he had gone just a few minutes ahead of the rest.  In total the Tax Department lost 40 of our co-workers in the attack.  

We had a couple of little tv's in the office and we got them out just in time to see the second plane hit the Two World Trade Center, where our New York office was located.  We all sat there watching in horror to what was happening... hoping and praying that our co-workers would be able to escape.  Then the tower collapsed and we screamed, no one had heard anything from anyone since the first plane hit the other tower.  Shortly after the other tower collapsed, we were all instructed to leave work.  We walked outside and it was just eerie not hearing any planes flying overhead... being that our office isn't far from the Albany International Airport... everything just seemed so quiet.  

We came to work the following morning and I had a voice mail message on my phone from John, letting me know that he was okay.  I let our director know that I had a message from him and asked if they had heard from anyone else to which I was told no!!  =(  A couple of them were found months later enough to match DNA's on them anyhow... but the others still remain missing... hopefully for their families they will recover something to try and put some kind of closure on this... if there ever can be!!  

My thoughts and prayers are with each and everyone affected by this horrific tragedy... May God Bless each and every one of you!! 

Where was God on September 11th, 2001?

How many of us have heard that question "Where was GOD when the World Trade Center and the Pentagon was attacked?"  Well I know where  GOD was the morning of September 11, 2001, and He was very busy!

He was trying to discourage anyone from taking these flights. Those four flights together held over 1000 passengers and there were only 266 aboard.

He was on 4 commercial flights giving terrified passengers the ability to stay calm. Not one of the family members who were called by a loved one on one of the hijacked planes said that  passengers were screaming in the background.  On one of the flights he was giving strength to passengers to try to overtake the hijackers.

He was busy trying to create obstacles for employees at the World Trade Center. After all, only around 20,000 were at the towers when the first jet hit. Since the buildings held over 50,000 workers, this was a Miracle in itself. How many of the people who were employed at the World Trade Center told the media that they were late for work or they had traffic delays.

He was holding up 2-110 story buildings so that 2/3 of the workers could get out. I was so amazed that the top of the towers didn't topple when the jets impacted.  And when they did fall, they fell inward.  GOD didn't allow them to topple over, as many more lives would have been lost.

And when the buildings went down,  GOD picked up almost 6,000 of his children and carried them home with him.  Reassuring his frighten children that the worst was over and the best was yet to come.

He sat down and cried that 19 of His "misguided" children [terrorists] could have some much hate in their hearts.  That they didn't choose Him, but another god that doesn't exist, and now they are lost forever.

He sent his children that are best trained for this disaster and had them save the few that were still alive, but unable to help themselves.  And then sent many others to help in anyway they were needed.

He still isn't finished though, he held the love ones that were left behind in his arms.  He comforts them daily.  His other children are given the strength to reach out to them and help them in any way they can.

And I believe he will continue to help us in what is to come.  He will give the people in charge of this great nation the strength and the wisdom to do the right thing.  He would never leave us in our time of need.

So when anyone asks, "Where was  GOD on September 11", you can say "everywhere"!  And yes, although this is without a doubt the worst thing I have seen in my life, I see God's miracles in every bit of it. I keep praying for those who don't believe in GOD, every chance I have. I can't imagine going through such a difficult time and not believing in GOD...

Life would be hopeless.

[Author Unknown]

Today we light our candles 
And bow our heads in prayer 
To show that we remember you, 
How very much we care. 
And as the flames grow brighter 
Here in the firelight gleam, 
The shadows of your lives appear 
Almost as in a dream. 
We care that you were taken 
you really had no choice; 
So now we dedicate ourselves 
To be your silent voice. 

Author Unknown 

It was a beautiful September day,
People going about their way.
Going where they needed to be,
Seeing who they needed to see.

Out of the clear blue sky,
Four planes flying high,
Became weapons to destroy,
And to take away our joy.

They thought our spirit would fall,
When our backs were against a wall.
They just didn't know
How close we would grow.

We all gathered to pray,
And ask God to guide the way.
The motto "In God We Trust"
Has now risen from the dust.

Our people have united together,
The storms of war we will weather.
We will fight until the end,
Our freedom to defend.

We will never forget those we lost,
These lives were our biggest cost.
The buildings we can rebuild,
But the empty arms we cannot fill.

Let us keep this fire burning,
And keep our hearts yearning,
To rid the world of this terror,
And to live in peace forever.

by Kathy Porter

WHEN TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME...

When tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes, all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry, the way you did today,
while thinking of the many things, we didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me, as much as I love you,
and each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand,
that an angel came and called my name, and took me by the hand,
and said my place was ready, in heaven far above,
and that I'd have to leave behind, all those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye,
for all my life, I'd always thought, I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for, so much yet to do,
it seemed almost impossible, that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared, and all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday, just even for awhile,
I'd say goodbye and kiss you and maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized, that this could never be,
for emptiness and memories, would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things, I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven's gates, I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me, from His great and golden throne,

He said, "This is eternity, and all I've promised you".
"for life on earth is past, but here it starts anew."
"I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last,
and since each day's the same day, there's no longing for the past."
"You have been so faithful, so trusting and so true."
"Though there were times you did some things, you knew you shouldn't do." "But you have been forgiven and now at last you're free. So won't you take my hand and share my life with me?"

So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart,
for every time you think of me, I'm right here, in your heart.
(Author Unknown)