Do you remember where you were when you first heard about the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001? It's a day that lives in infamy, along with Pearl Harbor and President Kennedy's assassination.
I was in Mrs. Braggs' English class my senior year of high school. Class was coming to an end, and there was quite a bit of confusion as to what exactly had happened. We made it to Coach Young's Calculus class just in time to see the second plane hit. We sat and watched, transfixed, confused, uncertain...silent. Then, the first tower collapsed...and not too long after it, the second one. I don't think anyone had articulated clear thoughts up until that point, but as the dust and debris from the second tower rose into the NYC skyline, Coach Young asked quietly, "Do you know how many people you just watched die?"
Maybe that question was a harsh dose of reality, but it's one that has stuck with me in the years since. We see replays of the planes hitting those buildings and the towers collapsing in on themselves, and we think how horrible that day was. But it's a little more difficult to allow our minds to venture to the fact that those moments caught on tape were the last moments of nearly 3000 lives. Rather than what I was doing that day, I think about what they were doing...working, traveling, chatting on the phone, eating breakfast, reading a book, catching up on the morning news...any number of the tasks we go about on a daily basis. The people on the planes had some forewarning as the highjackers commandeered the aircrafts...they had time to think about their final moments...to try to get in one last, "I love you," or one final prayer. However, many of the people in the buildings had no idea this was going to be their last bite of food, their last piece of paperwork, their last step, their last word spoken...their last breath.
And, honestly, neither do we.
We make plans, set goals, and fill calendars when not even our next moment is guaranteed. It's important to look forward to what could be, but it's equally important to look around at what is. Appreciate what you have and love the ones closest to you because you never know when you won't have the moments to follow through on the good intentions. Perhaps it's a bit dismal, but it's the truth...and if any of the victims of 9/11 could speak to you now, I believe they would be telling you the same thing.
Today was another 9/11 that will probably stick with me for a while. It was my last day on the job with the studio. Unfortunately, it wasn't an altogether pleasant day because several others lost their jobs along with myself, so there were a lot of long faces and worried eyes all around. I'm thankful I had already made the decision to leave voluntarily and head home. I've been learning lately that sometimes you have to back up a bit before you get the footing to move forward. I think some of my work friends are going to learn that lesson as well...not that they'll back up in the same way that I am by going home...but just that they'll have to take a new look at where they are and where they're going. It's hard to leave a comfort zone and venture into uncharted territory...but sometimes being pushed unexpectedly out of the boat lands you right on the shore of where you needed to be all along. That's what I hope for my friends...and for myself.
Good night to another September 11th. Good night to the victims of that day and to all those who've lost their lives fighting for the cause since...and PEACE to all of their families and to all of us who still find time to take a few reflective moments on this day. I pray you - like me - find your footing and continue to move forward.
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