This week everyone seems to be reflecting on 9-11, with the ten year anniversary looming in our midst.
I will not bother you with the facts about where I was on that fateful day.
We all remember. We will never forget.
I will, instead, ponder things I remember about that day and in the immediate days following.
I remember that morning being preoccupied with an exam, and later feeling how insignificant my exam really was.
I remember being saddest about the fact that perpetrators of this horrible, violent attack, had such little regard for human life.
I remember thinking that all of the people who were in the towers, working, had left their houses with thoughts of returning, perhaps in time for dinner or tucking in their children.
I thought about the passengers on the planes and how full their hearts must have been thinking about seeing loved ones who were waiting for them at their final destinations. I thought of the people waiting on the other end of their flights, so excited to see a loved one; a child, grandparent, long-time friend or spouse.
I thought of the crew and pilots who made countless trips and though they probably did not ever focus on it, the thought of a terrorist hijacking must have been somewhere in the deep portions of their minds, always.
I thought about the first responders and the kind of person it takes to hold that job. The fearlessness they have to exude, all the while trembling at the unknown. I thought about the sacrifice it requires by their families, to allow the rescuers to serve their communities and their countries.
I thought, in that moment, and was quite right, that the world was forever changed that day.
I had a few nice thoughts too.
I thought about how nice it was to see pride of country blooming and sprouting up where it may not have been before.
I thought about people who had lost faith, finding it once again in the time following that awful day. When some wanted to be afraid, others' strength and resilience shined brightly.
I thought about how nice it was to see neighbors talking to each other. People were checking on one another. People were caring about those other than themselves; friends and strangers alike.
Our country burst forth from its cocoon and became a gorgeous butterfly.
When I think back about the day that terror struck in our hearts, I try to remember that when we are injured, the initial shock is swift and painful, but we move beyond that. We make adjustments and grow stronger as we heal.
We have done this. I truly believe that good can come from all things.
We united as a nation that first day, and all the days after.
Bono said it so eloquently, when he claimed that all across the world, people pulled together and became American that day. People felt our pain and cried with us. Families far away, held loved ones close, in their sympathy for us. Everyone grieved that day, alongside us.
Our tears and their tears collected in the same pool of reflection. What was to become of us?
Well...ten years now have passed and we are still here. We are still rebuilding. We are still remembering.
The hurt is still there, but maybe it is a little more like a hidden tattoo; we know we have it, but others do not see it as much. What we show others is that our grief made us stronger. We speak of those we lost with great pride, as heroes.
When we have a choice to help our brothers or to leave them to help themselves, we help because it is the way WE do brotherhood.
We are a nation made up of many backgrounds and COWARD does not run in our bloodlines. We will not be bullied by terrorists. We WILL ALWAYS stand up for our country and if you turn your head you will see that we are not alone.
**Last night's wide-spread blackout was a nice reminder of how we have all come together. Neighbor was out talking with neighbor. Friends gathered for football. Food was shared. Lights were shared, candles dispensed.
Smiles were across every one of our faces as we remembered there are BIGGER things we have faced and conquered!
