08-19-2019Shortly after 9/11 a friend sent me this in an email. Over the years it has brought me a certain solace.
I deadheaded to JFK on September 10 from ATL. I spent most of the afternoon and evening jumping from one airline to another and back again as TSTMs in the New York area were causing havoc with the airline's flight schedules. I think about 10PM I finally ended up in LGA and caught a cab to the hotel.
We took off out of JFK on the morning of September 11 at 7:10 headed back to KMEM. I remember looking out over NY harbor seeing the Statue of Liberty, Manhattan and the WTC towers and even the Empire State Bldg. The cold front that had pushed through had left absolutely clear skies with the sun reflecting off the water below. I don't think I had ever seen the skies so clear and the visibility so good in the NY area. We flew to KMEM with no knowledge of what was happening behind us.
I think back today and wonder if the ragheads who commandeered those airplanes had planned their attack for Monday, September 10, they never would have found the WTC buildings, the weather was so bad. But that didn't happen as we know. Just food for thought.
MG2
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MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL
~ author unknown ~
You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news on September 11, 2001. Neither will I.
I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say "Good-Bye." I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, "Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK...I am ready to go."
I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.
I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. "I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!" I said. "Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now."
I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.
I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer.
I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.
I was in Texas, Kansas, London. I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?
I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name--though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor. Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; "Come to Me... this way... take my hand." Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.
I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me? September 11, 2001 was not the end of the journey for you.
But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are "ready to go."
I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.
GOD
AIRLINEPILOT CENTRAL
