On July 17, 2001, my mom and I were sitting on a bench in New Jersey pleasantly viewing the beautiful skyline of New York City, not yet aware of the national tragedy that was soon to unfold and the millions of lives that would be eternally changed. The following day, we had plans to travel down to the majestic twin tours to do a round of shopping; however, we changed our mind in doing so, as something just didn’t feel right. Whether it was a premonition on our part or not, in retrospect, I believe that if we had gone through with our plans, the events that befell our nation on 9/11/01 would have been that much harder to endure. On the last day of our 9th annual summer vacation to New York City, I had my final and last view of the twin buildings while en route to JFK airport to head back to my hometown, San Diego, California.
The tragedy that gripped our nation on that fateful September day has taught me a lot about myself and has enabled me to become more in tune with my spiritual self. My whole idea of universal consciousness has changed as I further believe that each and every one of us is connected. I have always had the desire to help people, but that desire grew exponentially since 9/11/01. Currently, I am in school to become a Registered Nurse and teach in a local San Diego school district. While watching the tragedy unfold via a television in California, thousands of miles away, I yearned to be in New York City to provide any help I could give.
A profound experience, which occurred about one month after 9/11/01, really sparked my healing process. I remember watching the Inside Edition episode about the loved ones’ last calls to family and friends before they left this earth. I had so much pain and sorrow in my heart. I then decided to relax in the hot tub and prayed for all of the innocent people that faded amidst the dust that September day. I openly talked to them and asked, “Can you give me a universal message that you’re okay and in peace now?” Later, as I was stepping out of the hot tub, I saw that my alarm clock was facing me. Instantly, I thought to myself, “Wow, it would be awesome if I could somehow get a universal message via my alarm clock. I doubt that would happen though.”
The following night, I started to come down with a head cold and decided to watch a movie before going to bed. About half way through the movie, I went upstairs and soundly fell asleep on my right side. I was not sure how long I was asleep when I suddenly awoke and turned on my stomach. It was as if a force moved me from my right side to my stomach. Without thinking about it, my eyes turned toward my alarm clock, which read 9:11 p.m. As my eyes met those numbers, I felt an immediate surge of peace flow through my body and gentle tears fell from my eyes. It was this instantaneous experience that has sparked my healing. To this day, I believe that I was given that universal message that I asked for the night prior.
What I have learned even more is the fact that once our body ceases to function, our spirit and soul remain. While those lost on 9/11/01 are not physically here, their love and soul continues to live and thrive. No tragedy could ever take that away.
I will be in San Diego, California on the 10th anniversary of 9/11/01. I will be attending a memorial service aboard the USS Midway and I am almost positive that I will shed tears. However, I have found much solace since my profound alarm clock experience. Sparks of healing continue to ignite in my heart and soul and it is my true hope that these sparks of healing ignite in the heart and soul of our nation.