Remember

September 11, 2001

I got up as usual to get ready for class, unaware that the world was changing even as I showered and got dressed. I got in my car to drive to campus. Instead of tuning the radio to one of the usual music stations, I tuned it to the local NPR station because I thought I needed to be more up to date on current events. I did not realize how much that simple decision, made just that morning, would change my life.

I was on Third Street in Maryville, MO, trying to find a place to park near campus, when I first heard about any planes crashing (incidentally, I heard about the one that crashed into the Pentagon before I heard about the ones that hit the twin towers). I parked and continued to listen to the shocking news, too dumbfounded to do much else. I think this was around 8:30 or so. At some point, the soon-to-be-graduating student in me forced my body out of the car and onto class.

Classes weren't cancelled that day. I remember thinking it odd at the time, when something that horrific and momentous had just happened. It is possible that the decision-makers just couldn't get the word out in time, since many classes were already in progress as the astonished world listened to the reports of unfolding events. As I look back, I think it just as likely that they realized students and professors alike would need a chance to gather to talk, to discuss, to try to make sense out of what was happening. Perhaps more than ever, we would need this kind of connectivity. I don't think a lot of actual book-learning took place that day- at least, it didn't in most of the classes I had. But I do remember my creative fiction professor had us freewrite about the events transpiring for about 15 minutes. (I wish I knew where that paper was- I know I still have it somewhere...)

I remember that I was more panicked about the attack on the Pentagon than I was about the twin towers. The reason for that was because I felt the plane crashing into the Pentagon was intended to be both a literal and symbolic attack on the core of our nation's defenses. I felt that it was the terrorists' way of adding insult to injury. I somehow felt so much more vulnerable, so much more threatened and helpless, with that knowledge.

I remember the fear. I remember being afraid for my friend, Rebecca, who was serving her mission in New York City at the time. I remember hoping, praying that she was unharmed by what hat happened. I think I even tried calling her parents or her sister, Esther, to see if they had yet heard anything from her.

I remember later that evening, after watching yet another news reel on the day's events, after seeing some of the footage of the damage to the Pentagon, feeling oddly somewhat relieved because it had not been extensive as I had feared. In fact, that footage gave me hope, almost like we had somehow managed to defy the terrorists' attempts to destroy our defenses- we were still standing; we were still going to be strong. And while I had never doubted my faith in God, I felt a surging renewal of my faith in Him. I felt that this was His way of reminding me that, despite the tragedy of all that had occurred that day, He was still there- He was still in control, and He would find a way to use even tragic events to bring people closer to Christ.

10 Years Later...

Saddam Hussein is dead. Osama bin Laden is dead. We have gone to war against terrorism and nations that support, directly or indirectly, terrorist groups. We are still at war with some of those nations. Gas prices have gone up significantly, never to be so low again. Airport security has significantly increased (though at least, by now, most airports have managed to establish a sort-of rhythm or flow that minimizes the petty inconveniences), as have tickets prices for flights in general. We have elected our first black President. We have gone through major economic crises. We have reverted to indulging in petty bickering about ultimately trivial things. Many people have turned away from God because of what happened on that day, but I think many more have turned to Him. We have seen so many changes, bad and good.

One thing, though, has not changed, and never will:

"God is not dead, not doth He sleep;/ The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,/ with peace on earth, good will to men." -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I was impressed with how the tragedy of 9/11 brought so many of us together as Americans, as brothers and sisters under the same flag. I loved the unity we shared for a time, the solidarity that helped us overcome the fear of terrorism. While we may generally fall back into patterns of divisiveness, arguing over politics and economics and so many other things, I appreciate that, for all our continued imperfections, this day still brings us together as Americans and, for a time, we are "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

I honor the memory of those innocent who died that day simply because they were in the right place at an unfortunate time. I revere the memory of those who gave their lives selflessly so that others could live. I thank those that continue to serve in that capacity, those that have to make the hard choices so that we might enjoy the freedom so dearly bought by our forefathers. While I respect any memorials erected to honor all such men and women, the best tribute we can give is the living memorial of our own lives, lived in such a way that we can hold our heads high with honor and respect, confident that we, too, would be ready to give our all if ever asked.

We will always remember.

Maine Idea

Why Maine? Aside from being a very quintessential New England state, my sister Sarah is currently living there while doing an internship. So, since I was in the northeast part of the country anyway, I made it a point to spend some time with my dear, little sister. (Well, not so little, seeing as how she is taller than me by a few inches...)

Here are some of my favorite shots of those delightful days spent in The Pine Tree State:

Left: Scenic view of a river running near where Sarah lives;
Right: Beautiful falls running under some harbor shops and restaurants.

Left: The Camden Public Library;
Right: The ever-picturesque Camden Harbor, complete with ships, dock, and everything!

I loved the way this little entryway was almost hidden by trees and bushes growing over the arch, almost like an entrance into a secret garden, leading to...


This- a lovely amphitheater, with grass-covered stones and tiny wild strawberries
growing in the crevices of each step- What a charming find!


The Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse


Sarah showing said lighthouse both fear? and love!



Merryspring- the place where Sarah works.


Left: Sarah teaching kids about tracking different kinds of wildlife.
Right: The thriving Children's Garden on the grounds of Merryspring.
(Note the lovely, hand-painted signs, made by Sarah herself.)


Some of the beautiful gardens on the grounds at Merryspring.


A vernal spring at Merryspring- I believe it's the spring for which the nature center was named.


Eating dinner at the Old World Potato Company in downtown Camden.
(Note the size of that potato!!!)
Left: My dinner included that huge potato and a cup of tomato bisque soup.
Right: I loved the little glasses they served with our bottled root beer!



The highly-touted, picturesque view of Camden Harbor from Mt. Battie.
As you can see, the acclaimed view was obscured by a thick fog on the day that Sarah and I hiked up the cliff. Alas.


"Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?"

(This tower is at the top of Mt. Battie- it looked very Monty Python-esque in the mist there :)



Scenic picnic area outside of Camden.


"Quoth the raven, 'Nevermore.'"





These are just some of the beautiful flowers growing around Camden.


And one of my favorites shots- me and my wonderful sister.
Thank you for sharing a wonderful weekend with me!

New England Trek, Part III: Pieces of Rhode Island

Rhode Island: The smallest state of the Union- small enough that if I were to drive in one big circle around the state, it would probably take me no more than 2-3 hours. (Of course, keep in mind that math- including estimation- has not been my strong suit for many years...)

My primary purpose in spending a day/afternoon here was to check out one of my choices for grad school: the University of Rhode Island.

(Here are a couple of shots of the campus- above, the Student Union; below, the tree-lined Quad, not unlike the one at MU in CoMo)

My impressions of the school/campus: It is a small school, which is part of its appeal. The campus was likewise small and intimate. Despite the overcast, drizzly weather, I thought the campus was lovely and quaint. I had a nice visit with one of the head professors/advisors of the MLIS program.

The problem: URI has so many hoops they expect you to jump through to be able to attend as a resident (and, not surprisingly, the non-resident tuition is ridiculously high...). Thus, while I did enjoy the brief visit, it did not rise to the top of my list like I had thought it might... Oh, well.

Since I was in RI anyway, Sarah recommended a couple of places worth the time to visit.

Mew's Tavern/Pub, where I enjoyed some delicious garlic bread and pizza,
while sitting by this:

(Okay, in case you can't tell, it is a tree growing inside the tavern, heavily decorated in paint and signatures and lit with Christmas lights... I think I was pretty lucky to get a seat by such a popular icon of the restaurant!)

After lunch, even though I was stuffed, I stopped here and got ice cream-

(Because, let's face it- there's ALWAYS room for ice cream!!!)

And then, because Newport is such a historic/famous town, I drove a little out of the way- and paid yet another toll- to check out the town.

Here is the famous and beautiful Trinity Church- very picturesque and used often in pictures of Newport. (In fact, it was a picture of this church that first made me want to see Newport someday.)

Some charming spots in downtown Newport- I especially love the quintessential New England architecture.


A view of the harbor- filled with boats of varying sizes, of course!

Unfortunately, since I was trying to make it to Maine before it got too late, I wasn't able to take any tours of the famously beautiful mansions built in the town and along the cliff by the harbor. I sadly did not have time to walk the Cliff Walk, either, in the hopes of viewing these stunning homes from afar. But I did drive along the cliff, and though I couldn't drive as slowly as I might have wanted, there were a couple of nice lookout spots that gave one a nice view of the Atlantic. So, here is what little I can offer you of Newport's Cliff Walk:

If only I'd had more time. But of the time I had, I felt it was well spent.

(Next week: Maine!)