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Remembering 9/11

#WhenTheWorldStopped

      Today marks the 18th anniversary of the day the world collectively stood silent, was at a communal loss for words, and realized the importance of saying, "I love you," when saying goodbye to family and friends. Today marks 18 years since hundreds of people in New York City saw their loved ones for the last time and since hundreds of other people took their last breath. Today marks 18 years since the tragedy of September 11, 2001. Today, thousands of people took to Twitter to commemorate the the day that altered so many people's lives and the people whose lives were affected almost two decades ago. Many people composed somber Tweets reflecting on their whereabouts when the news broke to them this time 18 years ago. Some remember it clearly, and some, like myself, were too young to understand the horror that broke out that day. 

"That was the day that we all learned there are bad people in the world." 

      Others fell retrospective and reevaluated the way they were living their lives. This day reminded people how precious and fragile life is. Each year, the anniversary of this tragic day rolls around once again, and the citizens of the United States are reminded of the devastation that occurred on September 11, 2001. What they are taught through this, though, is how important it is to spend time with those you love and to tell people how you feel often. We are taught to not take anyone or anything for granted. We are not promised tomorrow. 

      Oftentimes, when things are trending on social media, they evoke feelings of happiness, anger, humor, etc. This instance, as the events of 9/11 arise and are being remembered and reflected on, I feel a sense of emptiness. Not a sense of indifference, but rather, I feel speechless, and I feel a sense of hopeless devastation for that day. I visited the 9/11 museum in New York City, and upon leaving the museum, I left with a feeling as though the events of that day just occurred. A feeling of shock and deep empathy and emptiness as though something was taken away from me... from us. Our nation. Something was taken from us that day: our trust, the feeling of being safe, and our own people. 

      Of all things to trend over a 24-hour period, this one hits close to home for many people whether they knew of the people that were personally affected or not. Our nation will never be the same, but we choose to honor and remember the people that were taken from us unfairly 18 years ago today. 

      Despite the massive depression that swept the nation on that day, our nation has never been more unified. We all need to take time sometimes to be blind to race and political stances and just be there for one another. It is interesting to see how different people reflect on this day. Some people recall the exact place they were when they found out and they relive staring at their televisions in great horror and mass chaos ensued right before their very eyes. Some people thank their lucky stars that they were late to work that morning. Some kind people even reached out to those who are mourning on this day.

      Others, were too young to remember or maybe not even born yet. I am among the ones that was too young to even recall what I was doing at the time. I did not understand what was going on then, and even now, I still do not understand what happened on that day. What I do know is that, because of that, our country has taken huge precautions in our safety. I do not remember airports without all the high intensity security that they have today, but I remember being surprised that that type of security did not exist until after 9/11. For the safety we now have, I am grateful. It does sadden me and anybody else that we have come to a place of having to have this kind of serious precautions, but it is absolutely necessary.