September 11, 2001
One year later...
Photo by Teri Hirko
|
The beautiful but angry skies over Shanksville
today were proof positive, in my mind at least, that God is still
furious about what transpired one year ago. But, as is His way,
He may have brought angry, swollen skies and cold winds, every bit as
sharp and cutting as the box cutters used to bring down United Flight
93, but though we were cold and shivering, both from the icy winds and the
emotional strains of the day, God also provided moments of
sunshine and glory.
God's arms reached down from heaven in beaming
rays of light that warmed our hearts and souls, if only for brief
moments, as He held us tight and caressed our cheeks with kisses
of tender sunshine for fleeting moments at a time to warm our
bodies while His breath blew away the rain that hung on the winds
and threatened to dampen our bodies, if not our spirits.
Cold though we were, there wasn't a person there
who did not realize that no matter how cold, tired or uncomfortable we might be,
people had died here. They knew what was happening, and they
sacrificed their lives for us. Though it wasn't in any of their
plans for the day just one short year ago, they rose to meet the
challenges of the storm that was brought into their lives and soared
among the clouds as true heroes on eagle's wings. Their lives ended
here and their bodies shall remain here, forever, as a constant
reminder of the sacrifice they made that fateful day. Beautiful
flowers, tall trees and verdent green pastures may someday grow here,
in the soil kissed by their earthly remains as a true testament of the
beauty of the lives of those forty heroes.
Our sacrifices today were so insignificant, our pain so dull, in comparison to that of those forty who came before us and their familes who lost loved ones here. The hateful winds were replaced by gentle breezes every now and then to bring precious relief. And it never did rain, except for one brief mist that lasted only a few seconds. I didn't see a rainbow, except in my mind. And I imagined it to be the reflections of light off the wings of the forty angels who were borne into heaven from this quiet place. Despite the angry clouds and cutting winds, I
walked away with a new sense of peace.
His will and grace shall overcome all the
storms of life for all those who trust in Him and let God embrace them
with His love so that we, too, can soar on eagle's wings when storms
trouble our lives. And yet, as I watched the forty white doves that
were released in memory of those who died here soar through the skies
of this usually quiet and peaceful place I realized one thing that
struck me like a bolt of lightning out of the storm clouds above...
My life will never be the same. Not even after today. "Normal" as we used to know it does not exist anymore. And my only hope for the future is that God carries us all on His back in our hour of need and allows each of us to soar on wings of eagles when storm clouds threaten our peaceful existance, so that we, in some small way, might be able to repay the debt of gratitude we owe to the forty heroes who perished here. | ||||||||||||
|
"And He
will raise you up on eagle's wings, --verse from On Eagle's Wings On Eagle's Wings is the music you are hearing now. | ||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
|
This site is dedicated to the memory of the crew and passengers of UNITED FLIGHT 93 40 heroes who died in Shanksville, PA and now fly on eagle's wings. We shall never forget you!
| ||||||||||||
|
Thanks for visiting! Before you leave why not check out my blog? Just click on the graphic below:
| ||||||||||||
|
ŠTeri Hirko 9-11-02 All Rights Reserved |
