My Remembrance

Last night A built a fire in the backyard and as we sat there looking into the flames we did what so often happens when sitting around a fire...we reminisced.

We talked about 10 years ago when I was on my way to my 8am class that I had no idea as I parked my car and rushed across campus that a plane was hitting the first tower in New York. In 2001, no one had internet on their cell phones. We all sat through our 8am classes without a clue.

At 9am I walked into one of the common areas on campus and people were crowded around every TV. That is when I realized something had happened. I called A who had worked the night shift and was just getting ready to go to bed and told her to turn on the TV. All classes were cancelled and I drove as fast a possible the 1 hour to A's place listening to the radio as the towers fell.

September 11th is also our anniversary. That year on our second one, I remember we had plans but for the life of me, I don't have a clue what they were now. We, like everyone else, sat parked in front of the TV watching and wondering...what next?

In the last 10 years I have not agreed with all the politics and policies that were the outcome of this event. Today I've been saddened to read all the online comments by people who choose to bash the memorial events because of their anger with the government or their hatred of others' religious beliefs.

Today I choose to remember that everyone who died that day loved and was loved by someone else. They were all someone's husband, wife, sister, brother, mother, father, son, daughter or friend. They got up that morning and went through their normal routine just like any other day and in the matter of a few hours they were lost.

Now I'm going to turn off the TV/internet, hug the person I love, be grateful that I still have the ability to do that, and enjoy this beautiful fall day.