Few events in my lifetime have affected me as deeply as those that occured 10 years ago today. What should have been a beautiful September day turned into a day of darkness and sorrow, and one which I can never forget.
I remember where I was and what I was doing as clearly as if it had been yesterday. I don't think I can ever forget, and I don't want to. Fogetting would be a scar on the memory of the thousands of men and women we lost that day.
When I found out about the first plane crashing into the towers, I was in my AP English class, senior year, standing at the front of the room. We were asked to memorize the opening to Cantebury Tales, and we were reciting it for the class. Such an insignificant activity when I look back at it. At first we thought that the World Trade Center that was hit was the one in downtown Baltimore. Then we heard about the second tower, and I knew immediately that this was a day I would tell my children about. This was the day I would remember until I drew my last breath. How could I forget the day that our nation, a place where I had always felt safe, a place that most of us, unwisely, had felt was impenetrable, was brutally and mercilessly attacked? The day that thousands of our brothers and sisters were murdered because of someone else's hatred? The day our nation, and the world, was changed forever.
Mourning has it's place. I've shed my tears for those we lost, as I have done and will do every year on this day. I will never forget the ones we lost, and the ones who have fought and died for our freedom. But I think the most important thing I can do to honor the memory of those we lost is to live. Love my family, love my country. Let not a day go by when I don't thank God for my freedom and for the right to live free. Honor their memory by never forgetting how important my family and friends are to me, and by making sure they know that. Because those men and women we lost didn't know on that Tuesday morning that they would never get a chance to fix relationships that were hurting, to kiss their children goodbye, to tell their spouse how grateful they were for having their love, and to tell their parents how important they were to them. We all, as they did, think there will be a tomorrow. But tomorrow is not a guarantee. Live life the best you can, and cherish every moment you have. Because you never know when the words you say to the ones you love will be the last you will say.
A wise woman once told me, "Never go to bed mad a someone, because you never know if you'll get the chance to make things right." I live my life by that, and I will honor the victims that were lost on September 11, 2001 by always remembering, and never forgetting.
God Bless America
Thank God for our Freedom
I will never forget. And I won't let anyone I know forget either.
