This is one of those days where everyone remembers the very same day, in a million different ways. You know where you were, your friends were, your family members were and when you actually got to see everything that happened on 9/11, whether live or rebroadcast. I can tell you I was in Mr. Beck’s American History classroom when a math teacher burst through the door and yelled, “The Pentagon was just bombed!”. My oldest sister was at college in the Cleveland area. My middle sister was in Down Town Pittsburgh at Duquesne University. My mother was teaching in the North Hills. My father was in Chicago on business and scheduled to fly home that day, which terrified me the minute I realized I didn’t know what time his flight left.
At the very least, we all know someone who knew somebody that was in one of the World Trade Center Towers that day, if we didn’t know someone directly ourselves. It is by far, the most surreal, larger than life situation we have ever experienced together as citizens. It was a situation that many people couldn’t even grasp the magnitude of for days after it happened. I have to admit, I was one of them. I was in high school with the conceived notion that America was the greatest country on Earth and reigned supreme and untouchable above everyone else in the world. My eyes, along with hundreds, probably even thousands of other people just like me, were opened in the wake of all the mindless destruction that was able to be achieved in just a matter of hours.
Years and years have passed now and there have been endless amounts of conversations, arguments, consoling, and conspiracy theories. The sentiments of each range from all over the emotional spectrum. This year is different, though. This is the first second year that September 11th has come and the man responsible for the carnage that took place that day, is dead; shot and killed by US special forces. Finally brought to justice. A justice long overdue. This story is long, with no foreseeable true end in sight, but it’s ok to smile knowing that a very significant chapter has come to a close, though many still to come.
Take a moment today, while keeping everyone in mind; those lost, all of us still here, and the ones mourning as they’re forced to push forward everyday without the presence of their loved ones… take a moment today to smile. Take a line from the wisest being ever, Yoda:
“Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not. Attachment leads to jealously. The shadow of greed, that is.”
Celebrating the memories of the people we lost that day is paramount over all else. Smile because there’s plenty to still be happy about and thankful for in our lives. Smile because we’re still here and still can. If you need a little boost to get a smirk started, maybe this video will help. I know you all have heard conversations like this somewhere along the line. Its a funny spin on things to lighten up the mood.
One thing that’s surely never in question…
We remember.
Smile. Enjoy.
