As I watch the TV I cry again thinking about what happened to us personally and as a Nation.

I was in NJ visiting friends we had just moved to NC. 4 of us were out eating for Breakfast when my GF came in and said the WTC's had been hit.

We all Scrabbled and went home, however my home was no longer there. I paniced because my kids and husband were in NC I was in NJ and no where near family members.

I went to buy gas that afternoon. The girl getting gas across from me had just gotten a phone call that she lost both her parents. That as you all know was only the begining of hearing of families or perhaps you yourself are a family member of someone who lost thier lives that day.

Today I fly my flag proudly. I wish everyone would go outside and hang thier flag.

God Bless all of you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

I remember what a beautiful day that was. I was standing on the porch, holding my 4 mo-old baby, paying the painting contractor who painted our house and talking about the sparkling weather. I went inside to the news that a plane had hit the WTC. I saw the second plane hit live on TV. As the news unfolded, I went to my neighbor's house. She also had a 4 mo.-old baby...and her husband was at work--on the 81st floor of the South Tower.

We watched the buildings burn and crumble and faced the horrifying thought that she was becoming a widow. Her husband Bill had called her after the first plane hit and said he'd been told to stay put, so that's what she thought he was doing. We cried and prayed and clung to our children. When her family arrived I went to keep a doctor's appointment and spent the whole day holding my breath for Bill's and so many other friends' safety. It wasn't until evening that I learned Bill had escaped unharmed and my best friend, who worked on Church Street, had stayed home that day. (As it turned out, Bill had left his office shortly after calling his wife, and only minutes before the second plane crashed right into where he had been sitting.)

The aftermath was never-ending. It was weeks before the area was able to breathe deeply again. I spent days and weeks nursing my child in front of CNN, day and night. The silence in the skies was the eeriest thing, and the sense of community was palpable. What a shame that it's all been utterly squandered.

Wow Alexandra-Thanks for sharing that, what a scary time!

Thanks Donna