Tag: 9/11

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Remembering 9/11

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Looking back from my corner of the Northeast, fourteen years later, I still experience many of the emotions I felt on the the day it all happened. September 11, 2001…the day that the World Trade Centers as we knew them ceased to exist; the day the Pentagon got hit; the day when ordinary people decided to do whatever it took to prevent yet another plane from hitting our nation’s Capitol.

I was at work for what promised to be another busy day in the office getting a slew of things ready for a client’s annual conference; production was in full tilt during that month. I remember my boss coming in, and asking me if I knew what was happening. I didn’t; he turned on the radio and then we pulled up coverage on the computer (no TV in the office). Both of us sat there in shock…neither of us could really process what was going on. When it finally filtered through my disbelieving brain what was happening, I felt for all the people who were right in the middle of all the chaos and insanity. Then it dawned on me…my best friend – the one who’d been my bestie since freshman year in high school – worked in New York. At that point the panic hit…it was hours before we could get in touch and she could reassure me that she was fine. That was a huge relief! But even now, the lingering question of “did I know anyone who died?” still haunts me at times; more so on the anniversary date each year than any other time. It’s a question I’ll probably never have answered – truthfully, that I’m not sure I want answered – but the thought lingers like an insubstantial ghost.

As I’m sitting here at work, fourteen years later, and once again taking time out of a crazy busy production schedule to deal with the emotional aftereffects of 9/11, I can’t help but wonder: when does the sadness end? And I answer myself as I always do – it never does. As long as my memory functions, I will never forget. I won’t forget the fear, the pain, the panic, the shock, the feelings of utter helplessness  – and then the  feelings of building rage. I won’t forget everyone who died, whether they were unsuspecting victims; civilians who stepped up; military; fire/rescue; EMS; police; service animals; or anyone who assisted with SAR. Nor will I forget the generosity of a nation of PEOPLE who banded together to help in whatever way they could in the days and years following the terrorist attacks.

I remember 9/11. And I will #NeverForget

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Remembrances

“Where were you when the world stopped turning, that September day?”  –Alan Jackson

Eleven years later those lyrics still resonate, tugging at emotions and opening the floodgate of memories. And while I’ve never forgotten and never will while I still have a functioning memory, for some reason today’s anniversary is hitting me a little harder than in other years.

Maybe it’s because so many others are also publicly remembering via their posts on social media, blogs and other forums. Maybe it’s because I’m heading down to Long Island this weekend, and the thought of being closer than I normally am to the site of the tragedy is working its way through my subconscious. Maybe it’s for a whole host of other reasons, most of which I couldn’t even begin to put a name to because they’re so intertwined that there’s no possible way to untangle them in the space of a short blog post.

Whatever the reasons, there are a couple of things which are really standing out for me today.
Never forget:  The lives that were lost because of terrorism…(a direct result of intolerance in all its many forms).
Never forget:  The unity and determination that brought so many people together to bring about a rebirth of something good from the ashes of wanton destruction and despair.

Each and every one of us has a choice: to remember both the good and bad, or to forget and become apathetic.

I choose to remember.

I remember the lives that were needlessly lost in the attacks, as a way of reminding myself that freedom isn’t free. It takes all of us standing up for what we believe in to protect what our forefathers fought so hard to win.

I remember the people who gave of themselves to help others, many of them at the cost of their own lives.

I remember the the spirit of unity that came about from all the individuals who banded together and worked tirelessly in the rescue, recovery and rebuilding efforts.

I remember. And I will never forget.

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(Photo courtesy of http://tidymom.net/2011/never-forget/)