This past weekend, the United States commemorated the 20th year since the horrific terrorist attack on our country. I can remember that morning as though it was just last year. I was living in New York at the time preparing for a busy day. I was in standing in the mirror, putting on my mascara when I heard the breaking news on my television. “A plane has crashed into the World Trade Center.” I ran to look at the TV and saw the images of damage to the building. As we now know, this was only the beginning of a horrific day. There’s no need to revisit that day because it had been talked about all weekend.
Shocked. Sad. Scared. Unsure. Traumatized. United. Proud. Hopeful.
These were some of the emotions I dealt with after the attacks. Although the events from that day brings back painful memories, there were moments that made me proud and gave me faith in humanity. There were many heroes (many unsung) who sacrificed their life to save others. I mourn for the lives lost and their loved ones. I’m proud for how, the country came together to get through this crisis. This was probably the first time I felt that as citizen of the United States, we were truly united.
September 11, 2001 will be a day that will never be forgotten. But what has seen to be forgotten is the coming together of our fellow countrymen (and countrywomen). With all the divisiveness going on between the political parties, racial inequality, the vaccinated versus the unvaccinated, etc., we seem to be losing our way.
Lest we forget, our country is only as strong as the people living in it. We are STRONGER TOGETHER. But how do we come together? How can we be more loving and accepting of one another? How can we better show compassion towards each other?
— Dalai Lama