Changed.

On September 11, 2011, tragedy struck the United States of America. Not the kind of tragedy that I ever expected inside the borders of this great nation. We look at tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and feel devastated for those affected. But this? This was different. This was an attack. This rocked me to the core.

Up to this point, I was naive. I saw things happening around the world - terrible things - but never once did it cross my mind that we could experience the same things. Sadly, I would watch these things and think about how 'violent the news was' how 'depressing' it was to watch it. So I stopped watching.

What was that? Denial? If I turned it off, then it wasn't really happening, right?

September 11, 2011 changed me.

I pulled my baby out of his crib and plopped him, with his tousled blonde/white hair, right into the carseat as we headed off to drop my oldest off at his 1/2 day kindergarten class. I kissed his little face and off he ran. His backpack so big it wobbled from side-to-side as he darted to the playground.

It was a normal day.

Yet it wasn't.

Things were happening all over the country that I had no knowledge of. Terrorists passing through security. Sitting in seats, acting normal. Moms and dads, sons and daughters seated beside them chatting about their days, reading magazines, catching up on a few last minute emails before the planes took off.

That should have been my husband.

He was planning a business trip for that day that was canceled last minute.

I turned on the TV so my baby could watch "Blues Clues" when I saw it.

I sat in horror as I watched the smoke billow out of one of the towers. It must be a horrible accident. The plane must have malfunctioned. But really, in my gut, I knew. But how? Why?

This can't be happening.

I called my mom and we watched together as the 2nd plane hit. We were silent. Listening. I was nauseated. Tears were streaming down my face as we learned about the other plane that had crashed.

This can't be happening.

Alex curled up in my lap and put his sweet little hand up to my face to wipe away my tears. He was too little to understand what was happening, but not too little to know how to love his mommy when she needed it.

It was all I could do to not rush up to the school and bring my son home. I wanted him safe inside my home. Would schools be a target? How many more of these villains were out there?

An automated call came from the school district assuring us that the kids were safe and we did not need to collect them until the end of the scheduled day.

I felt a need to have him with me, but just as strongly a need for life to be normal.

I felt bonded as an American. I was praying with everyone across the nation. We were united in a single purpose and emotion. In our time of need, we turned to our Heavenly Father. I felt great peace in that. I felt great pride to be a part of such a large unified group.

I learned what it felt like to be on edge. Worrying about what might come around the corner.

We have a small airport in our neighborhood. Small planes fly low over the main street as they finish their decent and land on the runway. It's always been a source of wonderment and excitement. We love watching the planes. But shortly after 9/11, I would feel myself panic as planes flew low over my car.

I watched the news with a new set of eyes. A new heart.

I had more empathy for others who face these attacks every day.

I have more gratitude for the men and women who work to protect my family every single day.

Living overseas solidified my gratitude for living in this country. The United States of America is a blessed nation. The freedoms and rights that we take for granted are a blessing. The safety that we take for granted is not free. Someone - lots of someones - are sacrificing to keep us safe in this very moment. Soldiers, Politicians, Government Employees here and abroad. The families that support those individuals, making sacrifices for us. Willingly. They don't know me. They don't know my family. Yet they are willing to give everything they have to protect me.

I am forever grateful for their service.

I am forever grateful that I was born into this country and that the safety of my family is not a trial I must bear.

I pray for our great nation, especially during this time of reflection. I pray that we can all strive to be kinder and more patient with one another. That we will look at all we have with gratitude. That we can continue to turn to our Heavenly Father, not just in times of turmoil, but in times of peace.

I am grateful for the lessons I learned that day. Out of the ashes we rose a stronger nation. We are not divided in our desire to protect our families. We are one in our gratitude for those who risked their lives for us that day.

We must continue to understand that there are heroes protecting us even today. We must remember the gratitude and unity that we felt on 9/11/01 and let those emotions move us forward.

The events of September 11th, 2001 changed me. Did they change you?