This day always reminds me of James. We were 19 and 20 years old on this day in 2001 and we were both living at home with our parents in Collierville. I was in nursing school and James was leaving for the Navy this very day. I got up just as the second plane hit the tower and I remember him just sitting there and watching. I wonder what was going through his head? Ive said this many times before, but my first instinct with my brother was always to protect him. I told him there was absolutely NO WAY he was going in to the military at this time, he better make some calls and UNlist. So obviously you cant just change your mind after signing your life away to the government for four years, so he left the next day on a bus to boot camp in Chicago because all flights were still grounded. His boot camp graduation was a few months later and it was the first graduating class after 9/11 and Donald Rumsfeld spoke at the ceremony. This was a very patriotic time in America, flags were flying everywhere and I was so so proud of him. He stayed in the Navy for four years and decided not to re-enlist. Fine by me! I was SO ready for him to come home! He would probably tell you his time in the Navy was the best time of his life. I never thought I would have something in common with the families of the victims of 9/11. I remember feeling a closeness to people that lost someone tragically and suddenly, whether it is 9/11 victims or a car wreck. That sudden and overwhelming grief is something that is so hard to explain, but if you have been through it, it bears no explanation. You just know. Miss him every day, forever and ever.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 14:17:10 +0000
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