Today is September 11th, 2011. Today, I am 20. I was 10 years old when the Twin Towers fell. It has been 10 years since the terrible events that happened that day. I remember I was sitting in one of my 5th grade classes. We were in the middle of a lecture and another teacher from my "team" came and pulled my teacher out. When he came back in he told us we all had to go to the cafeteria and wait for buses to arrive, that we were getting an early dismissal. When our buses arrived we had to go straight to our lockers and then straight to our buses. I remember us all being so scared. We were the youngest in my middle school, and no one knew what was going on, nor would they tell us. They told us our parents would explain when we got home.
I remember when I got home my mom was surprised. I told her that we got an early release and no one would tell us why. I remember sitting with my mom watching the coverage. I remember I still didn't totally understand, who could at that age. I do remember that I saw those buildings on fire, and them talking about everything; the fires, the plane crashes, the people covered in ash, the people jumping from the buildings. I went to sit in my front yard to wait for my little brother to get home. I realized that it was sooo quiet. Where I live is right under the airline for planes. There were non in the sky and I thought it was so weird. I remember there were no cars on my busy little road either. When my brother got home we went back inside and just watched, not fully understanding, scared for so many reasons.
I remember every year after that. Having a moment of silence in school, special prayer meetings at church and around flag poles. Watching those video's over and over. I remember understanding more and more as I grew up. The true impact of the second plane crashing. Realizing that other plans were crashing else were. Seeing those people jump, and understanding why. Watching those two iconic towers crumble like nothing to the ground. I remember watching the movies, staring all those celebrities, playing those heroes from that day and crying. I remember looking up YouTube videos and seeing all the different angles, and watching that second plane go in. And seeing the people stand in the street as the ash and dust made their way towards them. I remember feeling the scared that I should have felt when it happened, happen years later.
Today, many people ask "Do you remember where you were?" Maybe that's not the question that should be asked. Maybe it should be "Do you remember how you felt?" "Do you remember how that impacted our country?" I now know. Then I didn't, but 10 years into the future I know.
I bought a magazine in the store the other day. The main article is about the children from 9/11. From the heroes and the innocent in the buildings who never got to see their children. These kids don't understand yet. They're the same age I was. They are the face of hope. They helped their mothers get through that time.
So, on this day, will you remember where you were? Or will you remember those heroes who fell this day. I know what I will be remembering. I will send my heart and prayers to those who perished, those who fought, those who lost, and those who gained. Those who continued to live. And I will remain living my life to the fullest. Knowing that I have everything, while others lost so much.
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