The Sporting Life: Life in America returns to routine, but not to 'normal'

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Brent Lawrence is copy editor and columnist for the Springfield Business Journal.|ret||ret||tab|

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The day started like any other. I jumped in my truck and started to work, ready to listen to a little sports talk on ESPN Radio. Only instead of sports, Mike & Mike were giving reports of two planes slamming into the twin towers of the World Trade Center.|ret||ret||tab|

It was a long day. Clinging to the radio and television through reports that a plane hit the Pentagon, rumors about a hijacked plane heading toward Washington, D.C., and seeing the towers crumble; I let loose a few select curse words then. Everybody did in their own way.|ret||ret||tab|

In the days following, there was much rallying around the flag. Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" was near the top of the music charts. We all made lots of promises about how we were going to change. Churches saw huge increases in attendance. We said we'd be more involved. Many people put American flag stickers on their vehicles and fastened flags to their radio antennas.|ret||ret||tab|

Baseball and football cancelled their games for the following weekend. The country stood still to honor those who died and to honor America.|ret||ret||tab|

On the night baseball returned, Sept. 17, 2001, my wife and I went to the St. Louis Cardinals baseball game. We wanted to be there to show the world that we wouldn't be scared and change our plans.|ret||ret||tab|

It was a beautiful, moving evening. The field was filled with firefighters, police and military people for the pregame tribute. Jack Buck read an incredible poem that summed up the mix of pride, sadness, patriotism and anger in the stadium that night.|ret||ret||tab|

Later in the game, a street performer played "God Bless America" on his saxophone. The notes gently drifted over the stadium wall and to our seats. It was the perfect end to the night.|ret||ret||tab|

Everybody was proud to be an American.|ret||ret||tab|

Now the flags have been tattered by the wind and put away. The bumper stickers have faded and the patriotism has waned.|ret||ret||tab|

With the exception of the blip of increased interest here at the one-year anniversary, what has changed? Are we back into the same rut we used to be? Self-absorbed in our own problems and forgetting the bigger picture?|ret||ret||tab|

I don't think so.|ret||ret||tab|

True, we are not quite as outwardly patriotic as we were last year. The ceremonies have all but disappeared. Life has become routine again, but they are far from normal. If you think about traveling, the tragedy is the first thing that comes to mind.|ret||ret||tab|

When the 9-11 topic comes up, we've all got fresh memories of the tragedy. We remember the scenes. The patriotism isn't overflowing, but it's just beneath the surface. We remember the scenes too vividly not to be incensed.|ret||ret||tab|

I asked my friends via e-mail what has changed for them since 9-11? The responses were similar in theme.|ret||ret||tab|

"It's just an awareness, not any fretting or trepidation. I'd definitely say life has not returned to normal; routine, perhaps, but not normal. Once you've been violated and the violator is still on the loose, there's no way to feel entirely safe," replied Scott Maple from Conway, Ark.|ret||ret||tab|

"Just this weekend, when I flew for the first time, I found myself looking at each individual passenger and analyzing what kind of person they might be. Once I got to my destination, I was constantly looking around at my surroundings and the people who were nearby. I'm not being paranoid, just aware," wrote Emily Burton of Dadeville.|ret||ret||tab|

"I'd say the only change for me is in attitude about life and the United States taking less for granted, enjoying more the fun times and understanding that we are not immune to the sort of terrible consequences that occur in the Middle East, Europe and around the world," said Kelley Bass of Little Rock, Ark.|ret||ret||tab|

"The most significant change is the fact that I have learned to truly appreciate friends and family much more. The only thing that I am doing is realizing that life is very short and working is not such a priority anymore. I have learned you can always work, but family and friends can be here one minute and gone the next!" replied Anthony Tindall of Springfield.|ret||ret||tab|

Well said, my friends.|ret||ret||tab|

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Service meter|ret||ret||tab|

Time and date: 12:05 p.m. Aug. 30|ret||ret||tab|

Place: Cartoons Oyster Bar and Grill|ret||ret||tab|

Details: Anthony Tindall and I met for lunch. As always, service is very important at lunch. You want your food quickly so you can eat at a relaxed pace, instead of shoveling it down so you can get back to the office.|ret||ret||tab|

Thanks to Cartoons, we succeeded.|ret||ret||tab|

Lorie promptly got our drinks out to us and took our food orders. We each got the fried chicken special. We had our food by 12:20.|ret||ret||tab|

Even though Lorie had to leave midway through lunch, the handoff to a new server was flawless. Owner Gary Summers stopped by several times to check on the food and service. The check came in a timely manner and we were out the door with plenty of time to spare.|ret||ret||tab|

Rating: It was outstanding service; I'll definitely go back.|ret||ret||tab|

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