Remembering 9/11

“Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children" 
  
If you weren't directly impacted by September 11th, I don't think it means as much to you as it would to someone who lost a loved one. But none the less, it all holds a special place in our hearts. We all know exactly what we were doing when the World Trade Centers. My generation was still really young. I know when I heard about it, I didn't fully understand what was happening. I knew it was something bad. And I knew it was something that would forever remain a date no one would ever forget.

At that time, I wasn't to scared. I did know that it was happening in really big cities. So I actually felt pretty safe because I knew someone wouldn't want to harm a small town in Florida. So I was definitely glad I did not live in a big city at that time. And I was thankful that I didn't have any family that lived in New York either. So incredibly thankful.

I couldn't imagine what those individuals had to go through. How scared the people were in those buildings as they were falling. What their last thought was. Was their last image was. What they last said to their loved ones. It's something you just can't begin to fathom or wrap your head around. Or to the brave individuals who decided to stay behind waiting for others to evacuate..showing the fastest way out not thinking about themselves. The fallen heroes. The ones no one saw helping others. Comforting others telling them everything will be ok.

At one end, you want to be proud that your loved one helped others save their life, but at the same time you're angry...frustrated and sad because they're not back at home with you. I know that I would be torn with a million different emotions if I was dealt with that situation. You almost would have wanted that person to be selfish and find their way back to you...back home. But then again you can't help but be inspired and love them even more because of what they did for others. For many, we need an anniversary to remember something like this. But to many others..they have a constant reminder each and every day. Pictures. Videos. Children of fallen men and women. Husbands and wives. Grandparents. Sisters and brothers. They will never forget. It's impossible to forget.

The anniversary is just a reminder of what was stolen from them. Innocent lives cut short. Taken from their loved ones for no reason at all. They don't need an anniversary to remember what they've lost.

My heart goes out to all the families who were impacted by 9/11. I can't imagine the struggles they go through to this day. The void that is forever gone in their lives. Lives were torn apart, and brought together all at the same time. I don't think any American will forget this day. They may not think about it on a daily basis, but it will always be in their mind. It will forever be a date in our history books that never should have happened....

Never forgotten and forever grateful...

-KC