Remembering 9/11

In about 8 hours it will have been exactly 10 years since the horrible events of 9/11 began. I've been sitting on the computer here looking at pictures, reading stories and just re-living that day. It's crazy how you could ask anyone to tell you what they were doing the moment they found out and they could remember it like it was yesterday. I've never written down my experience so I thought I would "write" it.
On the night of September 10th I went over to my sister's house to sleep over. I was leaving early the next morning with her, her husband and kids and driving to Disneyland. Woo hoo!!! Jen and Laron came downstairs around 10 and told me we were leaving right then instead. I don't remember the details...something about Laron thinking we had reservations in Vegas the next night but really they were this day. Anyway, we packed everything up and headed to Vegas. We checked into the Stratosphere hotel in the middle of the night and we all went to sleep.
In the morning we all woke up and started getting ready for the day. Laron decided to turn on the TV and that's when we saw the news. I wasn't really paying attention to the TV when he turned it on, I was playing with one of the kiddos. I just remember Laron yelling to Jen who was in the bathroom getting ready "Jen, come look at this". I turned and looked too. We all just stared in disbelief.
The next thing I remember is feeling panicked because we were in the Stratosphere and they were having all of us evacuate. All the well-known (especially tall) buildings all over the US were on high alert.
After we evacuated we just started driving to California. The rest of the trip was quite interesting. We still went to Disneyland and Sea World like planned, but the whole mood of the trip was pretty somber. I remember my brother in law, especially, was extremely preoccupied. Every opportunity to hear coverage was taken. Every time we were in the car the radio was on, the second we got into the hotel we flipped on the news. My poor nephews didn't understand what was going on. I remember Lane, who was 6 at the time saying something like "Why do we keep having to watch these buildings burning?". I think he was getting annoyed with the fact that we wouldn't let him watch "fun TV".
We heard President Bush speak over the radio while we were driving. I just remember thinking about how many millions of people from all walks of life were listening to the same thing I was at that same moment. I felt so united. I was reminded of a scene in the movie Armageddon when they show people all over the country glued to their TVs and radios listening to the president give them scary news.
A few days later, the nation had a moment of silence. I was at Disneyland by myself with my three nephews. Jen and Laron had left to go to a concert. They shut all the rides down. The happiest place on earth stood still while we all took a moment to think about the week's events.
I loved seeing all the patriotism and pride in the following weeks. American flags were EVERYWHERE. It was beautiful. Everyone seemed to be grateful and kind. I wish we could always be that way.
It's been 10 years and it's crazy to re-live those events and feelings. Reflecting on this makes me feel so humble and blessed for all the wonderful things in my life. I pray for all those who had to actually live through and experience that day up close and personal. God bless. Now if you'll excuse me I need to go give my husband and my daughter a huge hug and kiss.