Sunday, September 11, 2011

september 11

September 11 was a special day for me ever since 9/11/88. On that day I met the man I would marry in 1992. Every year on 9/11 I would tell him how many years we had known each other. On 9/11/98, I remember telling him that we'd know each other for ten whole years. He drowned three days later while we were on vacation at the beach. So when 9/11/01 came around I was still grieving heavily for him.
Ben, with Alec and Mason on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Alec and Mason, 13 years later in the same spot


I know how hard it is to lose someone, but I can't imagine losing someone in a violent act of terrorism. I pray that the families of the victims of 9/11 have been able to find peace as I have. It took me a long time to figure out that God didn't abandon me that day, but that he was there all along. And I'm very thankful for my wonderful family and my now husband, Gary.

The following video is the story of September 11, 2001, from the perspective of the photographers that were there that day.


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25 comments:

  1. Michelle ReneeSeptember 11, 2011 at 9:57 AM

    This brought tears to my eyes. I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm glad you have peace knowing that God hasn't abandoned you. Yet, I'm sure it must have felt that way. God bless, Deb. You have a beautiful family.

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  2. Rosie@leavesnbloomSeptember 11, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    Oh Deb I never knew this about Ben - those days must have been so tough for you especially with Alec and Mason so young. I'm so glad that you have that assurance that God had never left you and that He brought Gary into your life.

    Your boys look very much like their father.

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  3. TexWisGirlSeptember 11, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    i wasn't going to leave any comments today, but i have to break my 'silence' to let you know how moved i was by this. i am so sorry for the loss you and your sons endured, but am so glad you have found love once again with new anniversaries to celebrate...

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  4. Tamar SBSeptember 11, 2011 at 10:56 AM

    Deb, this was so touching. So sorry this date has added sorrow for you, but so glad to see you are so happy in your life now! I teared up for the first time since that day, which happened in my backyard, watching the original Today Show footage from that fateful morning. Here's to many happy anniversaries to celebrate going forward!

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  5. Linda R.September 11, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    What a heartfelt post.. I got all choked up just reading it. I am speechless.. So glad you have found happiness.

    Hugs, Linda

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  6. MeaganSeptember 11, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    What a sweet post about Ben. Thank you for sharing your story Deb. Your boys look so much like him. I'm sorry for your loss, but happy that Gary came in to your life - for you and your boys.

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  7. EllieSeptember 11, 2011 at 11:54 AM

    Oh Deb this must be a very difficult date for you for your very own reasons. I'm so sorry for you and your sons loss. I'm happy that you have managed to pick up your life and found happiness again. Good luck to you all.

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  8. AnonymousSeptember 11, 2011 at 4:41 PM

    Beautifully touching post Deb. Such a hard day for you all.

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  9. AnonymousSeptember 11, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    this was so touching Deb.. thank you for sharing.. God was was just silently carrying you...

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  10. KimberlySeptember 11, 2011 at 9:11 PM

    What a touching, heartfelt post. It brought tears to my eyes. I'm so sorry that you lost your husband so tragically like that. But I'm also glad that God gave you Gary. And your two handsome boys.

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  11. ShelSeptember 11, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    I'm so moved by your story. How tragic and sad for you and your sons with the loss of their father.

    I'm glad to see you're in better times now,...with good memories to share and with your boys looking happy.

    I'm happy you've found someone to share your love with and I wish you and yours many pleasant memories and peace from here on out,....

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  12. Linda LandigSeptember 12, 2011 at 2:11 AM

    This was so moving to me and it brought tears to my eyes. I'm glad you and your boys have found healing in time and that you have been a strength for one another.

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  13. CMSeptember 12, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    Oh so sorry for your loss. I just can't imagine how hard that was for you and with two little boys to care for besides yourself. I'm glad you can look back now and have memories for your boys about their dad.

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  14. KimSeptember 12, 2011 at 12:47 PM

    You gave me goosebumps with your post and the pictures of the boys in the exact spot as the first picture.
    What a special photo.

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  15. DanelleSeptember 12, 2011 at 3:59 PM

    Thank you so much for sharing this. It is so touching to know that God doesn't abandon us, even when we think he has, and your story is a wonderful of example of that. It is so hard to realize in difficult times that He still has good things in store for us. Thank you for reminding us of that.

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  16. BransonSeptember 12, 2011 at 10:31 PM

    I read this the other day but didn't get a chance to comment. Said an extra prayer for you, though, and sending along some bloggy hugs. :) It is easy to feel abandoned when tragedy happens, and I am sure your message of hope has touched many!

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  17. BarbSeptember 13, 2011 at 6:38 AM

    Deb, I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing this story of your life. You're photos brought tears to my eyes.

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  18. SusanSeptember 13, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    Deb, you are one AMAZING person.

    All you have gone through and your attitude is so beautiful. One of the many reasons I feel so honored to know you.

    Thanks for sharing these incredible pictures.

    Mason looks just like his dad, oh my!

    The Lord has truly brought you through so much and yes, He is always there, right by our side.

    Thanks for that video too. Incredible.

    You always have so many wonderful things on your blog.

    So grateful for you♥

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  19. Chic Homeschool MamaSeptember 13, 2011 at 9:19 AM

    WOW- Deb- you have moved me to tears! Incredibly intimate piece of your life you have shared with us! Hugs to you my dear friend!

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  20. JessSeptember 13, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    Oh, Deb. Wow. What an intense life-experience to share here. The way you relate your 9/11 to our nation-wide view of 9/11 is beautiful. God is there. Always. I'm glad you've found peace. And your boys look so much like their Dad.

    Thanks for sharing this with us. (hugs)

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  21. pattySeptember 13, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    i've clicked back and forth three times, searching for the 'right' words. maybe there are no 'right' words to say i'm sorry for your loss...
    and i see those smiles on those beautiful boys, and read your words about Gary... and i am glad for you for that love.
    xo

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  22. pattySeptember 13, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    i've clicked back and forth three times, searching for the 'right' words. maybe there are no 'right' words to say i'm sorry for your loss...
    and i see those smiles on those beautiful boys, and read your words about Gary... and i am glad for you for that love.
    xo

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  23. Kristi {at} Live and Love...Out LoudSeptember 13, 2011 at 1:25 PM

    I am so so sorry that you and your boys have suffered such a devastating loss. I cannot imagine the pain. I don't want to. But, I'm so happy that you found love once again and that your husband's memory continues to live on in photographs, memories shared and in your hearts.

    P.S. I'm sorry, but I just cannot bring myself to watch the video. It was such a terrible time in my life as well.

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  24. misc.alainaSeptember 16, 2011 at 6:11 PM

    I am so sorry to hear about your personal experience with this date. Such a sad story, but it looks like you have done a wonderful job keeping his memory alive. Your post is beautifully written! I love the photo of your boys in the same spot they visited with their dad!

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  25. LoriDecember 1, 2011 at 12:31 PM

    The post and video are very touching.

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