Having fallen asleep while watching a movie on the sofa, I woke up in the living room on the morning of September 11, 2001. My roommate walked in the house at around 9:30 in the morning, an odd time for her to be at home since she worked a regular 9-5 job. She came in and asked if I'd had the television on. I hadn't; but immediately we turned it on and watched, together, the devastation that was imminently occurring in New York City, Washington, DC, and later in a Pennsylvania field.
For me, and for most folks of my generation, this was the first we had ever seen of war; certainly of war on our home soil. I have memories of Operation Desert Storm which took place in the early 90's, but that was different. It happened 'over there.' In fact, prior to that morning the only real pieces of history that I'd felt a part of were the Challenger space shuttle exploding (I was in second grade), the O.J. Simpson chase and trial (I was a junior in high school), and perhaps the collapse of the Berlin Wall. The only history I knew was what I'd read in books and been taught in school. But, on that Tuesday morning, I knew that I was watching history unfold right before my eyes, in real time, on live television.
What I remember most about that day and the days that followed, was the unified feeling of all humanity. I have such a clear image of driving down interstate 85 heading towards downtown Charlotte on the afternoon of the attack. It felt as if every car I passed, every set of eyes I met, could feel my feelings and, I, theirs. We were one. We were all Americans, and for those of us who'd never taken a moment to think about what that meant, this was our time. Despite our political leanings, we all looked to our President for reassurance and comfort, and he provided the image of a strong and steadfast leader. On the Friday after the attacks, I stood on the sidewalk with a precious little four year old friend holding a candle in memory and honor of those who were killed or for those who lost those they loved. I tried to explain to her why we were participating in this vigil without imparting any fear into her innocent little mind.
As time passed, life did return to normal, but normal was never the same again. We, as a country, had to learn the difference between Muslims and Extremists and strive to treat people of all religions with dignity and respect. At the same time, we had to become vigilant. As we all hailed the passengers of United Flight 93 as heros, we became sure that we, too, would risk our own lives for the sake of our county. We began to take notice of things that looked just a bit off, particularly in airports and on planes. Nearly, ten years after that life changing day, we felt a slight sense of relief as President Barack Obama informed the nation that Osama Bin Laden was captured and killed.
Ten years ago today, I could have never imagined how amazing my life would be. In late 2001, I made the decision to pursue my graduate degree and in 2004 earned a Master's in Counseling. I worked as a counselor for several years, and, along the way, I met the man who would become my husband. We spent a year living in Dallas before setting up a home and a life in Denver. Today we are happy and healthy and raising two beautiful little girls.
As I woke up this morning, like all Americans, my mind went back to that morning that changed our nation. I said a prayer for all those families who lost loved ones and, especially, for all the children who have lived their lives without knowing a parent. I squeezed my own girls a little tighter with a feeling of gratefulness: grateful both for the wonderful life that we have and for the country in which we abide which is a safer place than it was ten years ago. I've written this blog for my girls: for when they are old enough to understand and seek to hear my perspective on a little piece of history.
God Bless America.
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