I have had so many thoughts today as I look back on the events of September 11, 2001. I was only 11 at the time, but I can remember how I felt that day. I remember laying in bed and listening to the news. I didn't understand at the time what was going on. After a while my mom came in and told us that someone was attacking America. It all made sense at that moment. The impossible was happening. I was eating breakfast as the towers fell. The feeling that day was eery. It was too quiet. I didn't feel like playing. I was so used to hearing airplanes fly over my head, but that day there weren't any and it was a horrible reminder of what had just happened. I was just a child. I didn't know about terrorists or hijacking or war. No child should. But that day I learned all about it. I was too young too fully comprehend what had just happened, but I knew it was evil.
One of the main thoughts on my mind today is that we never know when we will talk to our loved ones again. We should always let our family and friends know that we love them. I am definitely not the best at this, but I am trying to do better. You just never know what can happen.
Along with that, I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have that there is life after death. We will see our loved ones again. I can be with my family forever. This brings so much comfort. I wish with all my heart that everyone knew this. I wish that I could tell every soul about the glorious message of the restored gospel. Not only does the knowledge of life after death bring comfort, but we can bea comforted and our hearts can be healed through the atonement of Jesus Christ.
As I was thinking about the events of that day, I turned to the words of the prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley that he spoke in the General Conference in October one month after. His words bring comfort and remind us of what we need to be thinking about at this time. America is a blessed nation and will continue to be so as long as we put God first. I encourage everyone to read this talk.
Now we look back and remember those we lost and the impact that the events of that day had on all of us. We will never forget. The best way to remember them is to press forward in our lives and to live each day as best we can. Remember that our strength as a nation comes from putting God first. I know that as we do this, God will bless America.
