I wasn’t in New York City on 09.11.01. I didn’t know anyone in New York City on 09.11.01. No family members, no friends were even close to New York City on 09.11.01. I was out driving a company vehicle for a job I had at the time as a residential/commercial alarm repairman when I heard the news break in over ESPN Radio. I immediately drove home, turned on the television, and watched in shock as the second plane hit on live television. I was home. Safe. But that day would become the single biggest catalyst for change in my life up until this point, and I don’t expect anything to beat it out. When people ask me about my “story,” how I came to where I am in life, I generally don’t include this part. I’m not really sure why, I just never have, but as I was sitting in my bed reflecting this morning, I realized just how important this day was for me. I remember watching what was happening in NYC in complete horror. I was overcome with fear, sadness and grief. But I remember another feeling. I remember a feeling of hope. Even in the midst of all the terror, I remember feeling like there was something bigger going on. I remember watching the firefighters, police, and EMT/Paramedics running IN, while everyone else was still running away. I remember seeing that, and thinking “wow… they’re making a difference.” Up until that point, my life was lived 100% to benefit me. I was still partying. I was still taking part in other illegal activities (my parents read this, I’ll save them the details, ha). I was still single. I certainly didn’t believe in God. I was completely selfish in how I dealt with anyone and everything. Then came 9/11. Something happened to me on that day that I know happened to countless others. I felt a new-found sense of direction. Something clicked in me, and I knew there was more to life than living just me for me. Two weeks after that horrible day, I started emergency medicine classes, and eventually become an EMT. I realized that my life was being wasted, and I wanted to live me for YOU (others). I didn’t want to go through my life any longer only serving myself. So I started working a job that was 100% inspired by the events of 9/11. After all, I was too out of shape to be a cop or a firefighter, so that was the next best thing. I won’t wax poetic about being an EMT. I did it for three years, and I hated it after the first year. It just wasn’t what I expected. But, it did eventually drive me to a point in my life where I started asking even bigger questions than the ones I started asking myself on 9/11. Questions about life, eternity, why bad things happen, if I’m fighting for a life, who am I fighting against and why… etc. Eventually, with some prodding from my parents, it eventually led me to church and a life-changing faith in Christ. Eventually enough changed in me to become a better man, which in turn allowed me to convince my amazing wife of now ten years to give me yet another chance, and that eventually led to the birth of my world changing daughter who owns her daddy in all the best ways. Eventually I would even come on staff for a Church dedicated to changing lives for the better, and then move halfway across the country to plant a church. Now I live a life that serves others. Not as much as I’d like most of the time, but the difference between the thirty-three year old man I am today on 09.11.14, than on 09.11.01 are so far apart I don’t even recognize that twenty-year old boy I was then. 9/11 changed my life. It was the single most horrific event I can remember in my life, and I grieve for those that lost so much on that terrible day. I am not worthy of the sacrifice of near-3000 people, including 343 firefighters. I am not deserving of what the people who survive today lost when their husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters lost when they chose to run in, instead of doing what any normal person would have done and run away. But I am thankful for the example they set. I am thankful for the inspiration they put in me and COUNTLESS other lives that day to change, and realize that a selfish life isn’t really a life at all. Me for me became Me for You. I wasn’t there, but it didn’t matter. No single event has ever changed my life more. I will always be able to remember 9/11 not just as a day of horrible tragedy, but as an event that finally made me realize how precious life is, and how much better it is when we as a human race live not just for us, but for each other.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 11:17:22 +0000
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