"we're distracted by the hard times, and the troubles that we make. let us throw them in the ocean, let it wash our cares away."

six years ago today...

i was in eighth grade. i woke up and, like every other morning, didn't really want to. school always seemed too early in the day. but i loved my first period class, so there was a certain motivation to get to school on time. i was the first student into my LEAP room that day...which was normal. i looked over at "Doc" Houchins to see her face in complete shock. then i heard the tv...i sat at my desk and watched...

as the second tower was hit.

then whatever news program it was flashed to a view of the pentagon with smoke billowing from it. even Doc didn't maintain calm...she couldn't figure out what was happening any more than we could.

seconds later, all televisions in the school were turned off and Doc was called out into the hallway by an AP. i imagine they told her something to the effect of, "maintain order...and don't tell the kids what's going on." i imagine that's what they told her, anyway. what i remember is that she said she couldn't tell us anything.

other kids' parents started picking them up from school. the rest of us wanted to know why we had to 'learn stuff' on a day like this. we were all worried, but we weren't even sure what about. no one could sit still...and not much real learning happened in the classrooms that day.

when i got home i still didn't know how bad things were. i wanted to do my homework and watch cartoons. what i ended up doing was sitting next to my dad watching the news for hours. endless replays of the videos...updates every once in a while when the network found out something new...and complete silence in the rest of the house. we were all stunned.

i remember it was a tuesday, because i was frustrated that middle school bible study was cancelled. i think there was a prayer meeting at the church instead.

i remember how that day changed everything. and i don't suppose i will be forgetting it anytime soon.