10 years ago, I was sitting in Mrs. Taylor's 3rd grade class at my second row desk. I was diligently working on a spelling assignment, occupied with getting it done. A student suddenly appeared in the doorway from the other classroom. "Turn on the TV," she said. "An airplane just hit the twin towers!"
Everyone around me was in shock. The TV was turned on and we watched with our little eyes as a building far away billowed smoke out from its side. But I did not understand. I did not know what the World Trade Center was, or where it was, or how somebody could have managed to run their airplane into its side. I had never heard of terrorists, or Islamic extremists, or Al Qaeda. I did not know that there were people in the world today that would kill for the sake of their religion. I was young, I was sheltered, I was innocent and unknowing of the world that lied beyond my own small and protected one.
And I said,
"What's the big deal?"
Because, back then, I did not know.
Today I remember, and I mourn with the rest. I stand at the flagpole with my hand across my heart, tears in my eyes as I think of all the fragile lives shattered by the events of that day. My heart feels for them, bleeds for them, cries for them. I feel for their pain and suffering and count myself one among the many that will never forget. It has been 10 years - 10 long years for the American citizens, for our soldiers, for America. 10 long years of news reports of violence, bombings, and death mixed, with always, fear. It has been 10 long years for any person to grow up in.
But back then, I did not know. I did not understand what had happened, or why, or how it would affect the world throughout the next decade. Now I remember that day, and all that it meant for our country. But also I remember that little girl 10 years ago, and sometimes, I wish that I could have protected her. That she never had to grow up and learn of all the terrible things that happen in the world, or live amidst a distant yet ever-present war. But she did, and 9/11 changed her life, just as it changed everyone's. Our lives will never be the same. All of us, with our own unique stories of what happened that day and how it impacted our lives, will never forget.
Today I remember, and I mourn with the rest. I stand at the flagpole with my hand across my heart, tears in my eyes as I think of all the fragile lives shattered by the events of that day. My heart feels for them, bleeds for them, cries for them. I feel for their pain and suffering and count myself one among the many that will never forget. It has been 10 years - 10 long years for the American citizens, for our soldiers, for America. 10 long years of news reports of violence, bombings, and death mixed, with always, fear. It has been 10 long years for any person to grow up in.
But back then, I did not know. I did not understand what had happened, or why, or how it would affect the world throughout the next decade. Now I remember that day, and all that it meant for our country. But also I remember that little girl 10 years ago, and sometimes, I wish that I could have protected her. That she never had to grow up and learn of all the terrible things that happen in the world, or live amidst a distant yet ever-present war. But she did, and 9/11 changed her life, just as it changed everyone's. Our lives will never be the same. All of us, with our own unique stories of what happened that day and how it impacted our lives, will never forget.
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