Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning?

This is a strange day, indeed.

I don't think I'll ever feel the same way about mid September ever again.

When you live in the midwest as I do, you get attuned to the seasons even if you live in town-it's mostly a matter of temperature and color that you never really feel in places like Los Angeles-that is, unless you go seek it out. We're a little closer to the land here.

You can see the evidence all around you of maturing field crops and a bustle of anticipatory activity prior to harvest. The downtown cafes in small towns all across the state are more active. Dusty pickup trucks are parked all over as folks in coveralls and Carhartt suits take time from their busy days to grab lunch and see how the neighbors are getting along. That sort of thing will go on here as long as there are farmers and dirt.

But mid September is never going to be right again. It's broken here, and it can't be fixed.

I'm in mind of the sad, sweet words of Alan Jackson.

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

Out in the yard with your wife and children

Working on some stage in LA

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 their 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

The heroes who died just doing what they do

Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer

And look at yourself to 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

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 and tell her you love her

Did you dust off that bible at home

Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened

Close your eyes and not go to sleep

Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages

Speak with 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 old movie you're watching

And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns

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

Stand in line and give your own blood

Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family

Thank God you had somebody to love

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?