My insignificant pile of rubble on 9/11

This post today is dedicated to a woman named Ganelle Guzman-McMillan. As I sat down this evening I realized that tomorrow is 9/11--a day that still vividly lives in my memory. I was 7 years old, and I did not have a clue what was going on. My dad answered a phone call, and his face blanched. He ran downstairs to our ancient tv, and I heard the high-pitched buzz as it came to life. He knelt to the ground and just stared at the screen where a big, gray tower went up in smoke and people were screaming. "Daddy....daddy what's going on?"I said as I tugged at his pant leg. He told me to be quiet and that he would explain later. My mom shortly joined us, and I watched tears fill both of their eyes as they watched those beautiful towers tumble to the ground in smoke and dust. I will never forget those tears that fell from my father's face to the ground as he watched a part of our country crumble. To help myself remember how fantastic my own life is, I went online today and began to read stories of people who had lived through the tragedy of 9/11. Ganelle made a deep impression on me. This woman is truly a survivor, and she came away from her awful experience with a better attitude. She worked on the 64th floor of the North Tower. After the plane hit she watched as the "..ground [was] falling out beneath me at the 13th floor as I was racing to get out of the building.." Can you imagine watching the floor crumble below your feet from 13 stories off of the ground? I cannot even imagine. This woman ended up trapped under a pile of debris for 27 hours before she was rescued. That 27 hours must have been the longest of her life. Earlier today I was complaining to myself about how much I had to do and how much stress I was under. Now, I sit here, and I am praising God for the wonderful, easy, blessed life that I have. This woman's pile of debris was truly terrifying and life-changing. My pile of "debris" and stress is so insignificant compared to those who suffered in the 9/11 attacks. After 6 weeks in the hospital, 4 surgeries, and hours and hours of physical therapy and rehabilitation, Ganelle is still alive today. She carries this memory with her, and she carries it with her head held high. She turned her pile of debris into a foundation on which she can stand with confidence. Maybe someday I can turn my small, insignificant pile of debris into something half as amazing as hers must be. Let us all pray and thank our Father tonight for the wonderful, blessed lives that we are living. Let's thank him for all of those who suffered for this country and for us, and for those who still do.