God Bless America

Driving home from Target today I was listening to KBUll 93. I use to listen to country music a lot a few years ago, but haven't really listened lately. Today I thought I would listen because the country stations seem to be the only patriotic stations in town. I was not disappointed, on our way home we heard " I'm already There" by Lonestar. They had it as a remix with women calling in about their husbands or dads who were away fighting the war. I literally started to ball, it was so touching. I felt a surge of gratitude so great towards the men and women who are fighting to protect our freedom. I also felt terrible for all the people who have loved ones who are fighting. I couldn't imagine what it would be like, I don't even like when Lou has a night class let alone imagining him being away from me and the kids for months at a time. Lou's cousin Spencer is fighting in the war as a helicopter pilot. I often think of his wife with their two little kids at home worrying about her husband. (Their kids were born right around the same time as my two little ones.)
Doesn't it seem like it was just yesterday that the WTC was attacked? I remember it so vividly. I was taking Louis to work,we were engaged at the time, we were getting married in 18 days. We listened to the radio on the way to his work but didn't really know what was going on, I went home and turned on the news and found out. I remember thinking that can't be true, who would attack us, we're America. I was so upset, I called Louis at work, he really couldn't talk (he was a salesman at Circuit City at the time), so I asked him to call my Dad so that my Dad could call me( I didn't have a cell phone and we didn't have long distance on our phone yet.) I loved talking to my Dad, he is always able to comfort me when I am upset. I stayed home the whole day just watching the news. I was also worried that my family and Lou's family wouldn't be able to fly out for our wedding. (Typical bride reacion right?) Luckily by then flights were allowed again. Lou's dad however was planning on coming out the weekend after 9/11 to ordain Louis to the melchizedek priesthood and was not able to do so because of flight restraints. Lou's grandpa ordained him that Sunday instead. I remember how patriotic our country was the days following 9/11, all the American Flags flying in yards, and on cars, everyone was proud to be an American. We were driving home from our Honeymoon listening to General Conference when we heard President Hinckley announce that Present Bush had declared war.
Five years has passed now, so much as happened, five years of marriage, two kids, but yet it seems like yesterday.