In Remembrance of September 11th, 2001

Remembering

The story of Jesse D. Jackson

told by Hannah Yu

It’s September 11, 2014. Thirteen years after the attacks. But to me, it’s as clear as if it just happened. I was a college student studying in St. Paul, Minnesota, my older brother was an airplane pilot, my sister worked in the North Tower of The World Trade Center as a receptionist, my father was a firefighter up in New York, and my mother did a lot of traveling for her job.

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My alarm went off and I sat up with jolt. Five am! Hurriedly I got up, took a shower, and got ready for the day. I looked over at my wall clock. Six am. John’s plane would be leaving at 7:59, Boston, Massachusetts time. I grinned. He was really excited because not only was he flying the plane but our cousin Liam was the co-pilot.

My cell phone started to ring and I answered.

“Hey John!”

“Hey! How’s my favorite little brother?”

I laughed. “John. I’m your only brother. And I’m doing fine. My first class for the semester starts at noon.” He chuckled and I could just see the grin spreading across his face.

“Then what are you doing up so early?”

“I didn’t want to miss your call. Are you ready for the big day?”

“I am. Liam wants to talk to you too.”

Oh boy! Liam. My crazy cousin. Well, he wasn’t exactly crazy. Just wild and fun like John. We three were inseparable when we were little.

“Put him on the phone then!”

“Hey Jesse D! How’s my cousin that always slaves away at his school work?”

That was a joke between us. I was always working on my school because I’m a slow learner and had a harder time with my grades because of that. I guess that’s why Mom took me out of public school and started homeschooling me.

“I’m fine Liam. Ready for the big day?”

“Absolutely, Jesse! This’ll be fun. And then, I’ll come up to Minnesota and we can go to a movie and hang out together just like old times.”

I chuckled some and we talked a little more and then I hung up. And then, it happened. It was 7:40 am, Minnesota time and I got call. I answered my cell.

“Hello?”

“Jesse D. It’s Liam. Listen buddy. Hijackers have taken over the plane and they’re going to fly it into The World Trade Center. John and I are calling to say goodbye and that we love you.”

Why, Lord?! Why is this happening?

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I responded, “I love you too Liam. Bye.”

“Here’s John, buddy. Remember, it is well with my soul. Jesus is always there with you and so is God.”

John got on the phone after that. “Hey shorty! I love you and I’ll see you soon. The Lord will never leave you nor will He forsake you. Just like Liam said, it is well with my soul too.”

I couldn’t stop crying. “I love you too John. I’ll see you soon. Bye.”

And we hung up.

Stunned, I quickly turned the tv on and at exactly 7:46 am my time, I watched as my brother’s plane was flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. I was horrified. Deep down inside I knew that both Liam and John were dead and that I would never see them again. Then I watched as another plane was flown into the South Tower.

“Dear Lord! What is happening?” As I watched the live footage of what was happening in New York, it was announced that another plane had been taken over by hijackers and flown into the Pentagon. Then my sister called to tell me that she was safe. She had been stuck in traffic and hadn’t been in the North Tower.

“But Jesse, Dad’s with the rescue squad. He called me to say that he loved me and he sent a message to you because he couldn’t get through to your phone. Dad said, ‘I love you Jesse D. The Lord is always with you and never stray from Him son. It is well with my soul.’ Then he hung up.”

I began to cry again. “Stacy! Where are you exactly?”

“I’m about 10 blocks away from the Trade Center. Oh my goodness! It’s coming down!” As she was saying it, I was watching it.

“Stacy! Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” I looked at the clock. It was 9:59 am New York time and the South Tower had collapsed. We prayed for Dad’s safety and then she hung up. Right at 9:00 my time, Mom called.

“Jesse honey.”

“Mom! What’s wrong?”

“Honey, I need you to listen and be brave. Hijackers have taken over the plane and we’re going to take it over and crash it. Sweetie, I’m calling to say that I love you and goodbye for now.”

It hit me then. I would most likely never see my mom again. Never hear her voice again. Never get a hug from her again. I began to cry but tried to keep my voice steady.

“I love you too Mom. Call me when you’re safe alright? Please.”

“I will Jesse. I love you my boy. And never stop trusting in Jesus. It is well with my soul.”

“Bye Mom. I love you!” And then she hung up. Paralyzed I watched the news. The next thing I saw was that the plane my mom was on had crashed to the ground near Shanksville, Pennsylvania at exactly 9:03 Minnesota time. I had lost my brother, my cousin, and my mother to a terrorist attack.

“Why God? Why?”

Eventually I turned the news off to get ready to go to my classes. When I got to my first class the professor met me outside the door.

“Jesse. Classes have been cancelled for the day.”

“I see sir.”

“Are you alright Jesse?”

“No Professor James.” My voice cracked. “I lost my mother, brother, and cousin to two of the plane crashes. And I don’t even know if my father’s alive.”

Professor James pulled me into a hug and cried with me. Then he prayed over me and Stacy. After that the rest of the day was rather blurred. I remember Stacy calling me and telling me that Dad had died when the North Tower had collapsed. Afterwards I packed a suitcase up and drove to New York to attend the funerals. After that, Stacy got a job in Minnesota, we rented an apartment, and while I finished up my college studies, she went back to school and got a degree in music.

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That’s what that day was like. And the days afterwards were hard ones. I struggled with my bitterness against God for taking my family from me. It wasn’t until six years had passed that peace finally flooded my soul and the words for a hymn came to me from the Lord. I wrote the words and Stacy wrote the music.  It’s brought a lot of comfort and peace to thousands around the world and I know now that God was giving me the song on September 11, 2001 when my parents, brother, and cousin all told me, “It is well with my soul.”

When peace like a river attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

“It is well, it is well with my soul.”

It is well,

It is well.

With my soul,

With my soul.

It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, tho’ trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well,

It is well.

With my soul,

With my soul.

It is well, it is well with my soul.

My sin- O, the bliss of this glorious thought,

My sin- not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well,

It is well.

With my soul,

With my soul.

It is well, it is well with my soul.

And, Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,

The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend,

“Even so” - it is well with my soul.

It is well,

It is well.

With my soul,

With my soul.

It is well, it is well with my soul.

The End

This story was written in remembrance of those who lost their lives or lost a family member or friend to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Let us not forget them.