Where Were You (when the world stopped turning)

   dAAve at higher powered asked Where Were You? on his blog. On this day 9 years ago I was sitting in the car at an ATM in Gainesville, Ga. getting some cash. It was 8:47 by my clock and the guy on the radio said he had breaking news about a plane hitting one of the World Trade Center buildings. They didn’t know what kind of plane, big or small, news reports were still sketchy. I remember thinking I should call my dad even though it was a quarter to 6 in the morning. I remember telling him to check it out…he would later tell me that he had turned on the TV just in time to see the 2nd tower get hit. I was on my way to the gym which was down the street from the Walmart that I worked at. I heard about the 2nd tower being hit and the thoughts of a terrorist attack, by the time I got to the gym the Pentagon had been hit. Every TV in the place broadcast the images in front of the treadmills, bike and elliptical trainers. A woman said loudly “Holy Shit, holy shit, we’re under attack.” We all watched absolutely dumbfounded. When I got to work every TV that hangs in the store usually broadcasting advertisements, was showing the coverage of what came to be known as ground zero. That’s where I watched the towers fall. People were crying around me, I continued to be dazed. After work (as much as could be done), I began my drive home, part of which takes me over a dam that holds back the water supply for the city of Atlanta. I had to turn around because they had placed anti-aircraft missiles on the dam in case whoever was doing this tried to fly a plane into the dam. Life had changed forever. I went to Bible Baptist Church that night, knelt at the alter and prayed. God Be With Us. This is Alan Jackson's song about that day...you probably already know it....




"Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)"

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that bible at home
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

The greatest is love
The greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day