I can't believe its been 10 years since the day America changed forever. Ten years ago, I was a junior in college. I
had not been feeling well and skipped my first class. I got up and turned on the computer before I turned on the TV
and a good friend of mine had posted as his away message on AIM
-
There's some scary shit going on in NYC today and we still have to go to class. This intrigued me, so I turned on the tv. and I
saw the first tower fall. I
can't even tell you what was going through my head at that moment. I
decided that I wasn't going to go to the rest of my classes that day, so I stayed home and just watched the coverage. I
didn't know anyone personally, but I
knew that this was the moment in my life that I would always remember where I was in that moment. At some point, I
had called my mom just for the assurance that she was ok - I
remember that I
didn't want to be alone anymore, so I went over to the newspaper office on campus and found all the other editors there too. There was a vigil on campus that night. I
cried and wondered what would happen next. The creepiest thing though was the sound of silence - there was a small airport near campus, and we were so used to hearing the planes fly overhead. The silence in those first few days while all air traffic was grounded was just deafening. I
remember I
flew to New Orleans 6 weeks later. Everyone said to my mother
How could you let her go? But we all knew that it was probably the safest time to be on a plane.
Now, 10 years later, we remember. Earlier this year I
went to NYC
and went to the memorial museum at ground zero for the first time. It was one of the most powerful experiences I've ever had. From seeing the images again, to hearing the stories of the people who had to help, to seeing the way that the memorial would look when it was done. I
was in tears the entire time I was in there. I would like to go to the memorial the next time I'm in New York, now that it's finished, to remember and reflect. I
will also say that last October, I went to New York and walked the
Brooklyn Bridge. It was a hugely emotional and powerful moment, knowing so many people took to the bridge to just get the hell out of Lower Manhattan. Even though I'm not in New York today, I
remember. The weather is strangely reminiscent of the way it was 10 years ago - sunny and warm with a hint of fall in the air. It seems fitting.
Thank you to all the first responders and may those who lost their lives and their families feel peace today. The anniversary will never be easy and it should never be a day that's just passed by. It will forever be a day of reflection and a day of remembrance.
Never forget. 9/11/11
