In 2011, I was asked to participate in the the3six5 project: “Every day for 365 days, a different person will write an entry about their experiences that day. The key is that each post somehow relates to what’s happening in the world that day and how it relates to them – as a snapshot of the entire year, told from the perspective of 365 individual voices.”
This was my requested contribution for 9/11. Many years have passed, but the emotions, memories, thoughts and people have not been forgotten. They never will.
“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together…keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.” (Winnie the Pooh)
(Ten / Eleven / Twelve / Thirteen / Fourteen / Fifteen / Sixteen / Seventeen / Eighteen / Nineteen / Twenty / Twenty one / Twenty two) Twenty three years have passed … more than two decades now, but it still seems like yesterday in so many ways.
With time, details often become fuzzy. Not with this, not ever. Beautiful structures were damaged that day … not only the towers or Pentagon, but family, friendships and other relationships of 2,983 people that were lost in New York City, Washington DC and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Anger. Resentment. Fear. Hope. Patriotism. As I desperately tried to get in touch with family and friends, the feelings grew stronger. My wife was working at a government building that day – she could see the towers in flames. For days, I was consumed by the “What if?” I was supposed to be at the World Trade Center that Thursday. If these cowards decided to attack two days later, my legacy may have never existed – my oldest son born on September 12, 2002 and my youngest on October 30, 2006. Soon, I realized the true significance: “What was!”
In one of our darkest hours when so many innocent lives were lost, the compassion and resolve of America beamed. For a few moments, people expressed sincere concern for one another. This made me proud of a country founded on a crucial principle: of the people, by the people and for the people.
Our political leaders need to get past partisan politics and work together again – “of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all.” Let us remember what can be done and make a meaningful impact, without being prompted by any catastrophic event.
“You may say that I’m a dreamer, But I’m not the only one, I hope someday you’ll join us, And the world will live as one …” ~ John Lennon
Each day since 9/11, I’ve shed tears thinking about that surreal day. However, hope encourages us as we see so many ordinary people acting extraordinary. As the land of the free and the home of the brave, we will never forget any of our lost citizens.
Thank you to all of those missed, especially many emergency service members and even airline passengers who stepped into harm’s way to save people. Many gave their lives, physically, emotionally and mentally. Others survived, but still lost their lives in the days and years that followed. Physical trauma that consumed their bodies. Emotional and mental distress that paralyzed them, even prompting sad actions from guilt and sorrow of all that couldn’t be saved. True heroes.
I am incredibly grateful to each of you, your families who sacrificed and your unfathomable commitments for the safety and well-being of others.
Quick addition, as I think about 9/11 a year and a few weeks after losing my role model and lifetime best friend … my dad. While not a fire fighter or police officer, he was always there for us and others … serving as my original superhero from the moment I met him and each day that followed. I love and miss you so much, Dad.