To the souls that departed on Sept. 11, 2001:

 

You are still remembered

By your nations

Around the globe

One month after your hasty departure

 

We saw your pictures

We read your life stories

Many heroic ones

We feel the pain and anguish

 

Most of you died in your prime

81% are men

39 is your median age

Even as young as three

 

Thousands are widowed in our midst

Tens of thousands are without a parent

Millions are hurt

Billions are shaken

 

What changes has your departure brought?

Your departure has united the global village

From sea to shining sea

From rolling hills to mighty mountains

 

You have made us feel uneasy

About our complacent way of life

You have convinced us

About the brevity of this life

 

People in untold numbers seek the comfort

From the Wonderful Counselor

Worship attendance has soared

Promptly since your exodus

 

Many asked the age-old question

Why such heinous evil deeds against humanity

Even in the name of the Almighty

We are truly in desperate need of salvation

 

What can deliver us from the sting of death?

Could it be B-series bombers?

Could it be special operations?

Could it be the wishful rooting out of terrorists?

 

Or shall we rephrase the question

WHO can deliver us from the ultimatum of death?

None other than the One and only One

The Son of the Almighty God

 

He was no less heroic than the 300 firefighters

He entered the sin-smitten planet where sure death prevails

He gave up his life on the cross

As a ransom for all sinners doomed to die

 

He is different from all else

He rose again on the third day

To become the first fruit of resurrection

To give hope to all who call on His name

 

From Him

Through Him

To Him

Are life, peace, and love

 

Perhaps we can take some comfort

In imagining your last prayer to Him

Amid the smoke and fire

A prayer that escorted you otherworldly

 

We will never know this for sure

Until the grandest day of reunion

But one thing is certain

We will NOT see the infamous 19

 

Rest assured your loved ones are loved

Only by a bigger family

A much bigger one this time

You too will never be forgotten