September 11, 2001 - Remembered

For most it is just another date on the calendar, but for many other people it marks a day that changed their lives forever.

I remember that day, September 11, 2001. I was at work and heard that there was a plane that hit one of the World Trade Center buildings. I went down stairs to the first floor to find a large group watching the TV. I thought it was a joke at first and then I realized it was really happening.

We went back to our desk in shock. We were sent home and I could remember me driving home, it was such a beautiful sunny day with a blue clear sky. For me, I was trying to collect my thoughts and I said over and over in my head - what just happened? For others it was devastation as they found out how real this was. I remember a women that came in from another office for a meeting and she was frantic because her husband went into New York for a meeting and she couldn't get in touch with him. What a relief for her that he was alright. But for others it wasn't the same ending.

If you know someone that lost a love one on that day, comfort them especially on this day. If you don't know what to say, just give a call and say I was thinking of you and just wanted to let you know. If you know someone is alone on this day that was personally affected, invite them out for coffee or over your home for a meal. Be that listening ear that they might need or just sit in silence respectfully and just be there.

It doesn't have to be anything big, but it is the thought that counts. Since this was such a devastating catastrophe especially for the USA, then this date will always be commemorated and so the pain that gets a chance to subside in the hearts of those that lost loved ones is dug up all over again. But on the other hand we don't want to forget. So it becomes a two sided coin. Be patient instead of thinking that someone should be over this by now. It's been nine years, but to those that were personally affected it might feel as if it was just yesterday. Show more love and care especially on this day. We that were not personally affected by this will never understand their pain. And we don't know how we would have been if we were personally affected. All of us deal with life events differently, especially with what hurts our hearts.

For those that have lost loved ones on this day.

For those fire men and women that risk their lives and lost their lives.

For the police men and women that risk their lives and lost their lives.

For those that lost their lives because of wanting to help in cleaning up afterwards and their bodies could not take what was in the air and their love ones were left behind.

For those that are still battling illnesses as a result of that day.

For those, however affected that are trying every day to move on and live life after that day.

And for anyone else that I missed, my heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to you and your family on this day and everyday.