September's Cry

There are no words to describe the horrible feeling of watching the news channels on the morning of 9/11.  The nation was in shock.  There was an immense grieving for the loss of so many innocent lives. Although I was only ten, I can remember that day so vividly.  I remember the tear stained face of my mother, glued to the tv, searching for hope, staring in disbelief, and utterly distressed.

After that horrible day, my best friend, Heather Crosby, and I decided to write a song in memory of the fateful events. Here are the lyrics to September's Cry.

Oh they can’t take away our freedom,

And they won’t take away our pride

United we stand,

We stand side by side

Through the terrorist’s acts of murder,

Though they tried to tear us apart

God bless America and be with us through the dark

They went to work that day,

They got on their planes and sailed away

We didn’t know what would happen

And we’re still crying today

Chorus

Countless tears been shed,
Many hearts been torn apart

We can’t forget what happened,

‘Cause it lives inside our hearts

Chorus

Moms and Dads have been taken,

Their kids couldn’t say goodbye

Friends and neighbors been lost,

And we don’t know why

But they can’t take away our freedom,

And they won’t take away our pride

United we stand,

We stand side by side

Through the terrorists’ acts of murder

Though they tried to tear us apart

God blessed America and was with us through the dark

God blessed America and was with us through the dark

Even during such dark times, there was some kind of wonderful that was born from the ashes of September 11th.  Our nation came together and strengthened each other.  We all searched for and found hope together.  Once again, we were "Proud to be an American".  We all shared the same devastating heartbreak and through the devastation we became even stronger.

Then, war was declared.  To a child like me, it was unthinkable.  War was something that appeared to only happen in history books, not to America, not now.  

Last night, I turned on my computer around 10:50pm and I couldn't believe what I found.  Osama bin Laden was dead.  Before I informed my sister and mom, I had to double check, and sure enough it was true.  I simply sat and read the many accounts of his death that flooded the internet. We've waited so many years for this day.  It is here.  After ten years of desperately searching for the man that directly brought so much pain to this country, it was such a relief to know he was found.  Martin Luther King Jr. sums up many of the thoughts I had as I read last night's accounts.

"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."  

It isn't Obama that we need to thank.  It is the service of many men and women who have given their lives for the protection of our country and our freedoms. There have been lives lost and we need to remember them and the sacrifice that has been made.  Thank you. We surely have been blessed.  I am so grateful to be an American. 

"God Bless America and be with us through the dark"