It was the most wonderful, clear September day. I remember waking up late as usual for my 8am class, making it with a few minutes to spare and chatting in class with my friend. She and I went to breakfast and were just enjoying the cooler weather and venting about the football players getting a free pass while we had to get up early and get to class. I remember getting back to the room and hearing my pager constantly going off. Returning my mom's pages I could hear the relief in her voice when I called her back. She asked me if I was watching t.v. and I said no. I can still, 10 years later remember turning on the television to the Today show and dropping the phone in shock. My beloved city was in trouble. The following days are all blur, filled with immense sadness, anger, lots of tears, non-stop phone calls and emails making sure all my friends and family were safe. I also remember the guilt. I left. I was safe when so many others lost their lives in the name of hate and evil. So many times I remember being in those buildings on school trips or random stops after school to wander.
10 years later the images are still haunting, the stories still to painful to watch. And today as we pause to remember those who were lost not just in NYC, but those in D.C. and Shanksville as well, perhaps we can all take a cue from them by being everyday heroes in our own communities. Donate to the local food banks who so desperately are in need of food. If you see your friends and neighbors struggling, lend a hand. Live your life to the fullest everyday and always let those you care for know what they mean to you. God bless our great country and may he shine his love and light on those who are still hurting.
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