9/11 Heroes

Eighteen years ago, our country was attacked on our own land and we changed forever. I watched so much news on television. I couldn’t turn away. I was looking for hope. I was looking for heroes. They were there. It’s their stories we need to know and emulate. It’s time we learn from the heroes and do even small acts that will create a better day for someone.

In 2013, I had the privilege to go to New York City and visit the memorial on our 8^th grade trip with the school where I was teaching. Before we went to the memorial, we ate at a little deli that had the best sandwiches I’ve ever had. The walls are lined with photographs of people who are now friends with the owners. On that day, just a few blocks from the towers, the owners brought people inside and gave them food. They let them stay as long as they needed.

I remember the firefighters running inside the building and the photos and cameras that captured them going up the stairs in the towers, as the people walked down the stairs. Those firefighters saved lives. They gave their lives to allow others to live, as they never exited the building.

The people on United flight 93 who took matters into their own hands and tried to stop the terrorists. They crashed the food cart into the cockpit door. The plane crashed into the ground in Pennsylvania and never made its target into the building that the terrorists were going to hit. Those people stepped on and were “Ready to Roll.”

What about us today? Are we ready to roll? Do we go up the stairs when everyone else is running down? Or do we sit on social media and rant and rave and belittle everyone who does not know what we know or think like we think or believe how we believe. We need heroes. Heroes do not always talk. They act. We need people who are willing to step up and fight the villains. So many people are hurting in our world. Knowledge will not help them. Arrogance will not help them. Belittling or guilt-shaming will not help them. Only love will help.

Heroes are heroes because they know how to love. Love covers a multitude of sins. I need a multitude of sins covered. Love does not keep a record of wrongs. It is not rude. It does not boast. It is patient and kind. Jesus told us to love our enemies. It’s easy to love those who love us. We need to reach out to those who are difficult to love or even strangers that we do not know. We need to love people. We need to love. We need love. We need Jesus.