Today Is..

September 11, 2009.

8 years have gone by since the terrorist attack on the world trade center, when approximately 3,000 people lost their lives. That morning, September 11, 2001 is a day I will never forget.

And yet, in all truthfulness, I almost forgot that today was the anniversary of that event. It is (especially for a busy college student) so easy to just get in a pattern and go through the motions, that you don't think about little things like the date. So when I looked at my calendar yesterday, at first, I didn't believe it. But, after a blink or two I realized - today is that day.

It seems to me, that for those who were old enough to remember that day (and there are many who are just a year or two younger than me don't. But after all, I was only 9 when it happened) will never forget exactly what they were doing when they heard the news. I know I never will.

My mother was getting myself and the neighborhood kids who she took care of ready for school. I remember walking into the living room to ask her if she could do my hair, and seeing her and one of the other kids sitting staring at the TV. Just, staring. So, I stared too, and watched as the plane flew into the first tower, and it collapsed. And then the second tower. I also remember all of the different reactions people had. Some would cry, others display anger toward anyone, and anything they associated with the terrorist who had caused the attack. I just remember feeling numb. Constantly asking myself "Who would do this? Why?". When I realized that in launching their attack, the terrorist had also killed themselves, it only made me more confused. I was pretty smart for a nine year old, and even in my confusion, I still had one important question. One that no one else seemed to answer. "How does someone become so angry, or so sad, or whatever emotion it could possibly be, to do something like this? How could anyone reach that point?"

One of the best things I remember about that day, was what followed in the weeks and months after. Patriotic songs could be heard on every station, people pulled out the American flag, they started to help each other, care for each other. Love each other. I guess it's once again the beauty with the disaster. The yin with the yang.

If there is one hope that I have for the world, it is too remember those couple of months after September 11, 2001. To remember how we felt towards our neighbors, towards strangers. That kind of love and care is something that one should never loose. I realize that if someone were to read this from another country, it might sound like I am very much supporting America, and in a way I am. But, it's so much more than that. I hope that one day we wont just think of each other as American, Asian, Middle Eastern, etc. nor think of ourselves as Christians, or Jews, or Muslims. I hope that, one day, we will simply think of each other as friends, and stand up, as citizens of the world. As an "us", not a "them".

So, at the end of a day of remembering, lets promise to never forget.