I usually don't talk much about September 11th. It was horrible and devastating. And while I don't personally know anyone who lost their lives, the solemnity of that event quiets me more than usual, because I was there that day. It was almost me. I saw the smoke in the sky. And had my grandmother not slept in, I very well could have been in the Twin Towers when they were hit...that was our destination that morning. Just the night before I had gazed at them while looking at the New York night skyline from the Jersey shore, in eager anticipation of our drive into the city the next day. The Twin Towers, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty were all on our to-do list.
My dad grew up not too far from NYC, so he and my grandparents (with whom I was traveling) were pretty familiar with the area. After my dad left home my grandparents relocated, so the morning of September 11 we left their house in eastern Pennsylvania - later than planned - so they could show me around New York. We were listening to a cassette in the car and enjoying the ride. As we were getting close to driving into the city, I specifically remember my dad making a comment about how eerily quiet it was, because there were usually a lot of jets flying in that area so close to NYC. After a few more remarks about it from my grandparents, my dad got a cell phone call from my aunt who was in hysterics, and calling to make sure we were okay. We had no clue what she was talking about, so we turned on the radio. To our horror, we discovered what had happened...with the shaky realization of what our fate could have been if we had left on time. Needless to say, we did not get in to New York City that morning, and instead drove straight to Toronto where my dad had business meetings...barely making it into Canada before the borders closed. I heard this song on the radio so many times in the following days as we drove across the country to get home since all airlines were down.
I get teary as I watch this video. It weighs heavy on my heart at this time of year. It was a catalyst for so many horrible and terrible things. So many good men, women and children have lost their lives. An attack on America rocks the core of every American I think, because so many lives were needlessly sacrificed that day and subsequent days as the war on terrorism commenced. It causes me to reflect on other events from history, like the Holocaust and the Russian revolution, just to name a few recent ones. As I watch documentaries and see pictures, I can't help but think to myself "How does it get so bad that we, as human beings, do these things to each other?"
I don't know the answer. And my heart aches for all the violence there is in the world. But I am also so, so very grateful for those who have put their lives on the line to defend this nation both on the international and home front, from our personal communities to the deserts of the Middle East. This is not a discussion post on whether the war on Iraq was justified or the appropriateness of those actions, but a deep, heart-filled gratitude and respect for all of those who have and continue to risk their lives - and have lost them - for us. They are our family and friends.
We have brothers and sisters all over the world who also suffer tremendously at the cruel hands of others. It might sometimes help to remember that most people are just trying to live the best lives they can, and who are we to not lend a loving hand to those in need?
We have brothers and sisters all over the world who also suffer tremendously at the cruel hands of others. It might sometimes help to remember that most people are just trying to live the best lives they can, and who are we to not lend a loving hand to those in need?
With all the debates going on in society today about the appropriateness, fairness, and legality of certain issues, I sometimes wish we could all just have a little bit more camaraderie and love for each other in the perspective of events like these. Anniversaries like today bring a touch of humanity that I think we've sometimes forgotten. It brings to mind the words of a beloved hymn,
Have I done any good in the world today, have I helped anyone in need? Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad? If not I have failed, indeed
I once spoke with a Muslim who said he believed that human cultures were parallel spectrums; like the colors of a rainbow in harmony to create something beautiful, and clashes come from individual human decisions and not the cultures themselves. I thought that was a really beautiful thought. May we all do our part to be a little kinder, thoughtful and more gentle with each other.
I'm proud to be an American, and I will forever love my homeland. And like I recited so many times in my youth, I pledge my allegiance to this country and the ideals it was founded upon - one nation under God - indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
In memoriam - September 11, 2001.
