Looking Back on 9/11

Ten years. A lot can happen. A lot has happened. 10 years ago this weekend, our world got smaller. Words like “terrorist” and “Jihad” went from concepts we’d never heard of to concepts we couldn’t wrap our brains around. Planes crashing into buildings went from a concern we’d never had to a fear we’ll have every time we’re in an airport or in a high-rise building for the rest of our lives. The World Trade Center Twin Towers replaced Princess Diana’s car crash and/or the Challenger Explosion in the “Where were you when…” conversations.

In the midst of the initial news stories on September 11, 2001, there was a palatable mix of anger, shock, and fear. But in the days that followed, those sentiments turned into stories of grace and dignity and heroism, of sacrifice and honor and bravery. Stories of people who sacrificed themselves to save others. Stories of people who wouldn’t surrender to the certainty that their loved one was lost. Stories of people who used their vacation days to help with the bucket brigades. Stories of people who lost someone on Tuesday summoning the courage to get out of bed to face Wednesday. Stories of strength I hope to never have to know; of loss I hope to never have to endure; of courage I hope to never need to possess.

But that’s what makes America, America. That’s what makes the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave still, no matter how battered and scarred, the best place in the world. 9/11 reminded us that America and the freedoms we’re privileged to enjoy are not to be taken lightly; they must be protected because they can vanish in a matter of moments. 9/11 reminds us still today that strangers become neighbors when someone lends a helping hand and that neighbors become friends when someone takes the time to pay attention. 9/11 reminds us that life is fragile and that we should say what we need to, and hug who we want to, and never let a moment pass by because there’s not enough time or you think you don’t have the right words.

As the wife of a soldier, I see things much differently than I did ten years ago, or even one year ago. The stories of the war on terrorism on the news are not just tales of what is happening “somewhere over there”. The President’s speeches and Congressional decisions don’t just affect “someone else”; they affect my husband, my family. And it matters. And what he does matters. And I am so very very proud of him.

On this 9/11 weekend of remembrance, I hope you’ll thank a police officer, hug a fireman, or send a care package to a soldier.  I hope you’ll give a little more to the people around you and take a little less from those who are generous on your behalf. I hope you’ll pause and thank God you were blessed to be born on this patch of grass we call the United States of America. I hope you’ll hum the National Anthem and really think about the words; that you’ll count your blessings until you run out of numbers. This weekend, friends, make it something special, make it something honorable, make it… Something More.