I know I said in yesterday’s post to come back today for a hairdo, and my intent was just that, but on Monday I took the girls to a Healing Field that was in a town close by to us that was to commemorate all those who died in the 9/11 attacks, and I just haven’t been able to get it out of my mind. It was so inspiring and I was very overwhelmed by the entire thing that I just felt compelled to share.
On the North end of the field an amazing statue has been erected that will stand as a reminder to us all of that day. It, of course, was to replicate those 3 firemen that raised the flag amongst all the rubble at Ground Zero.
Then looking across the street by the local city hall there were rows and rows of flags — thousands and thousands of them standing 8 feet high. Each representing every person that lost their lives on that dreadful day. On 9/11 I was ironing my husbands pants before we went to work when my mom called & told me to turn on the TV. I was pregnant with Goose when it happened and I remember being scared as could be, wondering how I could bring an innocent child into a world where things like this could happen. I remember wishing I could keep her inside of me forever and shield her from the world. And now she is was with me, plus 2 more daughters walking through this field of flags. I can’t believe it’s been 10 years.
These pictures don’t do it justice because the field was flat and I’m just not tall!
As soon as I walked into the flags I was overcome with emotion. Seeing the flag fly has always affected me somehow, but I didn’t expect the extreme emotion to wash over me as I was surrounded by all the flags & realized what each one represented. I cried.
Each flag had a name attached to it. Each one had been a living breathing soul who needlessly lost their life that day – a mother, a father, a daughter or son, people of all ages, from all walks of life died. We walked and walked and read name after name & read story after story. I am so glad Goose and Bug can read because they too stopped and read. They were shocked at how young people were, or about certain facts about people. Although they still can’t totally comprehend what happened that day, I was glad they could read about these people and their lives.
Towards the end just before walking out of the Healing Field I picked up one more name on a flag, and it was none other than Jeremy Glick, who was one of the heroes of United Airlines Flight 93 who kept their plane from becoming another weapon of destruction. My stomach did a little flip.
Almost every time I stopped to take their picture, Bug would put her hand on her heart. They were so good as we walked around, realizing the seriousness of why we were there and they showed such respect to all the flags.
While it is a horrific thing that happened– it did– and I’m so thankful I could take the girls and share with them a piece of history. When we got home I found my old Time and Newsweek magazines and showed them some of the pictures from that day and we’ve had some good discussions about things since then.
I love what the sign says at the bottom: Remember the day we lost so many …. and stood together.
For more information on Healing Fields or if there is one in your area you can visit their website HERE. Has anyone else been to one of these? I’d love to hear about your experience or any thoughts you might have since the events of that day touched everyone in one way or another. If you ever have the chance to go to one of these for whatever reason I highly recommend going. The feelings I felt are indescribable.
