Hard to believe it's been 5 years

Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning? - Alan Jackson

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

Out in the yard with your wife and children

Or working on some stage in L.A.

Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke

Rising against that blue sky

Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor

Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children who lost there dear loved ones

And pray for the ones who don't know

Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble

And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride for the red, white and blue

And the heros who died just doin' what they do

Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer

And look at yourself and what really matters

I’m just a singer of simple songs

I’m not a real political man

I watch cnn but I'm not sure I can tell you

The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus, and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young.

Faith, hope and love are some good things he gave us

And the greatest is love.

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

Teaching a class full of innocent children

Or driving down some cold interstate

Did you feel guilty cause you’re a survivor

In a crowded room did you feel alone?

Did you call up your mother to tell her you love her

Did you dust off that bible at home

Did you open your eyes in hope it never happened

Close your eyes and not go to sleep

Did you notice the sunset for the first time in ages

Speak to some stranger on the street

Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow

Go out and buy you a gun

Did you turn off that violent home movie your watchin

And turn on I Love Lucy reruns

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers

Or stand in line and give your own blood

Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family

And thank god you had somebody to love

I think this song really touches me, not simply because I love country music, but because one of his lines tells exactly where I was when I heard the news. Five years ago today I was teaching kindergarten. We had just finished circle time and I was standing by the coat closet when one of my paras came and told me the news she'd heard in the office. I remember that when I was driving to work that morning I'd been thinking what a beautiful day it was and how blue the sky was. Who could have known the horror that lay just a couple hours ahead.

To all the families, friends of the victims - you're in my prayers and thoughts. God bless America.