September 11, 2001

September 11, 2001, changed the way I look at life.
I awoke to the disruptive blare of the alarm clock that signaled the start of another monotonous morning schedule. Under the dim glow of shining stars and with traffic lights as my guide, I headed down to the church for a droning class of scripture study. Life was good; I felt invincible.
My mother drove into the parking lot to pick me up as usual in her white Explorer--she appeared neither rushed nor alarmed. Her demeanor revealed nothing to indicate the devastation of the news she delivered. Her exclamation, “It’s the start of World War III,” rocked my body. I could not register her words as she explained what had happened. I tried to picture the two buildings, symbols of capitalism, colliding planes, and fireballs,a vision of Armageddon. I thought about Hollywood’s version--“Independence Day”--but this was the real thing, no creation from tinsel town. I tried to absorb the prattle of radio rep...