Meet Me in the Stairwell

I remember so well the beauty of that September day 8 years ago. I had just returned from a walk and entered the house to the phone ringing and my neighbor telling me that a plane had hit the trade center in NY. I remembered thinking, "Pilot error. . .but how do you miss a building that tall?" While I was processing that thought, the news came that a second plane had hit the other tower. The terror overtook me and I stared at the TV, scared as the rest of America while it all unfolded. Living in Omaha NE, close to Bellevue and Offutt AFB, the home of the Strategic Air Command, I wondered if my town would be the next target.

As the images played on over the TV, the stereo played Anne Murray's "A Little Good News" while I rocked and cried in a catatonic state for hours. When the news came that the President was flying into Offutt for a briefing before returning to DC to address the nation, I finally felt safe. I held my family and friends close and went to church and prayed with my community; it felt less helpless.


'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

You say you will never forget where you were when
you heard the news On September 11, 2001.
Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room
with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I
held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the
peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it
is OK..I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed
breakfast to their children. I held her up as she
tried to understand his words and as she realized
he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a
woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been
knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said.
'Of course I will show you the way home - only
believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest
ministering to the injured and devastated souls.
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He
heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat,
with every prayer. I was with the crew as they
were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the
believers there, comforting and assuring them that their
faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan .
I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.
Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew
every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me
for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath.
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the
smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take
my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.
But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You
may not know why, but I do.. However, if you were
there in that explosive moment in time, would you have
reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey
for you . But someday your journey will end. And I
will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may
be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are
'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

God