my thoughts

sept. 11, 2001
i remember first hearing something in the wilk ballroom during my 8 a.m. social dance class. something about a plane crash and maybe the twin towers. i really don't remember much, because i didn't hear much. class just went on. i heard something in my japanese class, too, but again, it was just bits and class went on.
when i really saw what was happening was walking through the bookstore, i stopped by the tv and saw a replay of the towers collapsing.
there're really no words to describe that.
'unreal' is the only thing i can think of, but isn't exactly correct.

president bateman was scheduled to give the opening year devotional that morning, but instead spoke on what had happened, giving us details on what was occurring on the other end of the country, what we could do to help, and offering words of wisdom and understanding in his deep, somber voice. i remember hearing the details of the attacks, feeling the same thing i felt at the hiroshima peace museum that may: a very heavy feeling, coming from the outside, not within. i also felt a resurgance of gratitude for the Atonement, though i didn't fully see how that applied at the time.
i find that quite interesting and still think about it.

i spent the afternoon in the library on the internet.

From: SuperflyS@aol.com
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 20:26:55 EDT
Subject: The day after the revolution
To: macavity_0@yahoo.com

So yeah. What do you make of this? I am not interested in going to war.
suck.

so wrote my friend at the university of minnesota.

that night we were, like most, gathered around the tv for news that was interesting and relevant [that's an understatement]. and we rushed out to buy gas on the rumor that it would go up to $5 a gallon.

i've met several people who are wwII buffs, or who love to study the civil war. i find myself rather fascinated with 9/11. i saved any relevant newspaper and magazine i could get ahold of [and still regret not taking a copy of the new york times when i saw the bin's door left open... i would have left some money for it], and get a solemn feeling when i pull them out and flip through them.

maybe it's because the news was interesting and relevant. maybe it helped us forget small and large trivial things. maybe because congress prayed for the first time in a long time. it brought out unprecedented kindness and solidarity in those who call themselves 'americans'. one of those times where you are reminded that even though your life isn't perfect, you [hopefully] do have what really matters, and reach out however you can to those who don't.

i spent this morning watching msnbc's rerunning of that morning's news coverage as i did what work i could do in my living room. i read emily's blog, and decided that i really should buy 'the man who planted trees.'