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Tuesday, September 11, 2012

The Circle of Light...on 9/11

The September 11th Slice of Life-Two Writing Teachers
Reflecting on September 11th...how I remember September 11th...It seems hard to believe that it's been so long ago now...

I remember the day-I was at school in the middle of a Building Leadership Team meeting when we were interrupted by the school secretary-telling us a plane had hit one of the twin towers-we immediately turned on the TV in the office-thinking of what a tragedy this was and not knowing there was more to come or that it had been a terrorist attack on our country...

I remember feeling so scared that day-not knowing what was happening or why-all the details-but trying to be strong and keep the first grade children in my classroom safe...many parents came up to the school to get their children.  By the mid-afternoon dismissal, only a handful of children were left in the room.  We read stories and tried to keep things light so as not to worry them.  No TVs were allowed to be on as the Board requested that children be shown the images of this tragedy within their parents' control.

I remember praying a lot-praying for the safety and well-being of so many people.  I never knew anyone personally who was in New York, D.C. or Shanksville that day.  I prayed for the heroes of that day-so many who did what they do best-putting their lives in harms way to save others.

I remember feeling shocked and horrified that so many people died from this tragedy...for no reason.  I still pray that nothing this horrifying ever happens to our America, the USA, again.

To share how our city, Tallmadge, remembers...if you ever get the chance-drive through the town some September 11.  The traffic comes to a halt at this beautiful rememberance...

The Circle City is aglow with light.  Volunteers begin lighting candles at 8am in the morning.  The candles burn for 24 hours."There are 343 red candles for fire department personnel, 60 blue candles for police personnel, 55 green candles for military personnel and 2,518 white candles for civilians -- a total of 2,976."(source Tallmadge Express) The site of the Tallmadge Circle lit up by candle light in honor of the victims will take your breath away!  It's a beautiful sight!  One of the few times of the year that 8 spokes of busy-non-stop traffic will come to a complete stand-still because people just want to take in the view.  Pictures just do not capture what the eye can see...a beautiful moment to honor, remember and reflect...




29 comments:

  1. Reading your post was the right way to wake up to this September 11. Thank you.

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  2. I think many of us will be writing about this today. I had to write a speech for our school ceremony today (that is my slice) and I had to keep it as positive as possible, since it is for elementary. But I shook as I wrote, remembering the little bits of information that leaked through the halls, whispered from teacher to teacher in the staff room. We couldn't say anything or even react in front of the students...

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    1. How did your speech go Maria? HOpe well...we had similar instructions. Kids were talking about it more than teachers were. It seems hard to believe my little first graders from that year are mostly seniors in high school this year.

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  3. I think you captured my feelings as well. The candles lit in your town looks like an amazing sight to see. Beautiful remembrance.

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    1. Thanks Michelle,
      It's a beautiful sight to see...

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  4. This was a generation defining moment. Thank you for sharing your memories.

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    1. You're welcome Deb...you're right, definitely a defining moment...

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  5. Although my post was not about 9/11 it doesn't mean I was not thinking about it. In fact, I think of it every time I see an airplane believe it or not. That day, that moment in time will be with us all forever.

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    1. I do that too...I remember the next weekend, driving up to Cleveland and thinking about Key Tower and what it would look like if an airplane flew into it...I am also freaked out by mysterious contrails left in the sky now-

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  6. A lovely way to remember all that was lost that terrible day.

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  7. Amy, that is such a beautiful tribute. I remember for weeks after this horrible tragedy...people treating each other...even in heavy traffic with respect and kindness. 9-11 is a day that will forever be remembered by all. Thanks for sharing xo

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    1. Yes, I remember a kinder, gentler national attitude prevailed for weeks after this happened...

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  8. Thank you for changing what you were going to post about today, Amy. My breath was taken away by the photo you shared and the words that matched the beautiful tributes of your town. (I even posted it to my SOLSC board on Pinterest.)

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    1. Thank you for the inspiration Stacey-this post was actually the first time I had ever taken the time to reflect in writing about what happened that day...glad you shared the pic on pinterest.

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  9. I would like to come to a halt at the sight of those candles to quietly reflect. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. It really is an amazing sight to see...it's quite moving-I didn't realize what was happening the first time they did this and drove into the circle at dusk...it was really something to see...

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  10. Thanks for sharing your town's tribute. I wish we'd done something.

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    1. Start a committee to get something going. It's never too late to remember in a special way.

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  11. What a great tribtue to this day in your town. There is something so powerful about lights - in times of darkness.

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  12. What a beautiful tribute your town does. Just a gorgeous photo.

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    1. Thanks Dana,
      I am so proud of how the city memorializes the event. I think it's because we have such a strong fire department-they seem to be the group that has a lot of volunteers helping out.

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  13. What a remarkable tribute and way to remember! I like that each paragraph in your slice begins with the words I remember. Thanks for a beautiful slice.

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    1. I didn't intentionally do that-I just realized I did when I read your comment-the writing just flowed...

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  14. Each light represents a person. So overwhelming.

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    1. Yes, Pamela, I agree-especially when you see it in person...

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  15. An awesome tribute to the Fallen. May we never forget.

    ~ Michael<><
    The Color of Sound
    @mgdobishinsky

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