As the stories and images from 9/11 fill the airwaves we reflect upon not only the events of that day but how those events touched each of our lives in some way. Each and every one of us was affected in some way and each of us has a personal story about that day…. #NeverForget
It was a beautiful sunny day in Chicago on September 11, 2001. I went out for a run and remember how the sun was playfully dancing on the grass, reflecting the crisp blue sky in the mirrored buildings and on the lake. Glancing up at the skyline and marveling at its magnificence I remember feeling happy yet at the same time, there was this nagging feeling I had to get home….
I cut my run short that morning. When I got home, I went into the kitchen ignoring the beeping of my answering machine, grabbed a cup of coffee and came back into the living room where I had left the TV on before I left. Charlie Gibson was on Good Morning America showing a clip of a plane hitting the first World Trade Center building. I thought they were showing a trailer for a new movie coming out. “Are you kidding?” I thought, “Who would make a movie like that?”
In this case, truth is clearly more horrible than fiction. I sat down and watched live as the second plane hit. I went completely numb! This was no movie! It was happening and happening NOW! I sat in stunned silence watching the events in New York, DC & Pennsylvania unfold. Yes, I remember that morning clearly even 10 years later and I’m sure I’m not the only one. All over the world people came together. There was an outpouring of love and it seemed for a moment the world came together as a family.
We honor the victims, survivors and everyone who rose in service on that day and in the days to follow. Our heroes are the firefighters and police who went well beyond the call of duty to save lives. Many of them made the greatest sacrifice…their lives. We feel connected in some way as Americans and it does not matter if we personally knew anyone involved.
We grieve and wrap our arms around all who were directly affected yet who among us was not affected? ALL of us were affected and it is time to put aside our differences and wrap our arms around each other. It is time to stand tall and not turn a deaf ear when we hear stories of terrorism “someplace else in the world” because “someplace else” was New York in 2001. On that day in 2001 we were a family, grieving together, mourning together and watching a real life horror story.
Let us honor and say a prayer for those who died senselessly at the hands of terrorists. Say a prayer and send love and light to those who lost family friends and co-workers. Let us thank and honor those in law enforcement, the Fire Department, the Military and anyone else who stepped up to go beyond the call of duty for their contributions and sacrifice on that day and since that day. It is time to embrace our loved ones, teach tolerance and love and pray for PEACE ON EARTH. ~Shine Your Light Debbie
©Debra Taitel 2011-2015 All Rights Reserved
