Absorbing 9/11

Each year 9/11 brings about some sobering emotions.

In 2001, I was a fourteen year old high school student living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  I distinctly remember where I was standing when I discovered planes had been hijacked on American soil. I was in the library at my high school watching the TV the librarians had pulled out for us.  I watched the news that evening with my family at home.  At that time, war and unrest were something that I conceived of as history, not as something that would ever occur in my lifetime.  That day, war was no longer a distant concept to me.  I was incredibly afraid.

In 2009 I was living in New York City and had the opportunity to go to an event at Beacon Theatre honoring the lives of 9/11's heroes.  It was a powerful evening filled with music by the Roots and Gavin DeGraw and notable speakers including both politicians and regular people who lost family members in the devastation.  Though I don't remember most of the details of the event, I remember taking on the emotions of the city that day.  New York had a calmer, pensive and reflective air about it.  I like to think that people, even if they can't do it often, took time to look inward and internalize 9/11 just for that day. I know that I did.

Today, September 11, 2011, marks the ten year anniversary of 9/11.  I spent the day taking my puppy to training class, cooking soup, drinking coffee, studying and relaxing.  I also spent the day reflecting on what's important in the short time we are alive on this earth.  The one constant thought I've had today is this: My wish for this country is that we find and grasp onto the sense of unity we felt as a country on that tragic day. Even through the turmoil, I felt a sense of comfort in knowing that all people - black, white, young, old, Democrat, Republican, rich and poor - were united in our emotions and in our resolve as a country.  We felt hope, anger, sadness, despair, and disbelief together as a unit.  I am reminded of this each year.

I'll continue to reflect on September 11 each year.  I wish peace to all those affected by these tragedies.  A special thank you to the heroes who fought on September 11 and every day since to protect me, the people I love, and this country.