Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?

On the morning of September 11, 2001, I was on my way to work at One Source Printing, when I heard the news that a plane had hit one of the towers. I had just arrived at work when news came that the 2nd one had been hit, and it was now speculation that it was an act of terror, and no longer considered an "accident."

All of us wondered what our next step should be. Should we leave work and go get our children at school? Was our nation under full-on attack? We were glued to our radios and the small television one guy had in his office. Images and feelings were burned into our minds and hearts that day that will never be forgotten. We were heartsick, we were in shock. We felt personally violated and fearful. We felt profound compassion. We were bonded together that day in sadness and disbelief...as were our community and our nation.

We were forever changed...

Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?

(Alan Jackson)

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 -
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 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're 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,
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.

The greatest is love.

God bless America.