11 Sep How I remember the World Trade Centers
How I remember the World Trade Centers
World Trade Centers 1983
To the right is a picture of me and my little brother the summer of 1983 on top of the New York City Twin Towers. This is how I choose to always remember them.
Where were you 9-11-2001?
My now 9-year-old daughter was not born yet. I talk with her about it. To her, it is just another day that something bad happened long before she was born. I explain the significance and answer the hard questions the best that I can. To those of us who experienced that day we will never forget it.
I was 30, living in Washington, DC at the time and I was in Orlando FL for work. I remember seeing the twin towers come crashing down on TV live. We watched in horror as so many lost their friends, parents, children, their co-workers, their loved one and their own lives for reasons that we will never fully comprehend.
The Pentagon was Smoldering
Airports were closed everywhere so I remember renting a car and driving North. I wanted to get home. I drove 14 hours straight and passed the smoldering Pentagon on my drive. I had some friends that worked there. That image is embedded in my mind forever.
Over the following weeks, I watched how tragedy and terror brought people together, not further apart. I watched compassion surround us and I watched heroes emerge. I watched people care about others and let go of insignificant daily complaints.
I watched, even if for a temporary time, many people APPRECIATE what it is that we have. I watched “entitlement” disappear for a while.
I appreciate America even more now. I realize this country is not perfect but not a day goes by that I do not feel fortunate to live here.
We take so much for granted daily. I feel sometimes that Americans are hated due to so many of us being entitled and NOT appreciating the opportunities that we have. Embrace and love what you are fortunate to have.
And NEVER forget….
