Seven years ago today...

...I was dropping off our children (son at his grade school, daughter at her middle school) and then headed to my own job as a tutorial aide and sub at another school. The whipsaw contrast of that day, between the images of death and destruction and "teaching a class full of innocent children," still leaves me wordless.

So I'll let Alan Jackson do the rest.

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
And the heroes who died just doing what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and 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 for 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 were 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
And 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?