9/11

I remember my mom waking me up, telling me that something was happening that I needed to see.

I remember not getting it.

I remember getting ready for school and wondering what the big deal was.

I remember arriving at school to chaos and still not getting it.

I remember TJ running up to me telling me that the pentagon got hit.

I remember still not getting it.

I remember TJ repeating it and saying that the US was at war. We were being attacked.

I remember fear.

I remember anger.

I remember sitting outside my art classroom afraid to do something so mundane when my world, our world, was crashing all around me.

I remember silence. Dead silence.

I remember watching the television and seeing raw hatred like I had never seen before.

I remember people jumping from the twin towers because they were being burned alive.

I remember the dust.

I remember the smoke.

I remember the screaming.

I remember a complete stranger, a classmate, holding my hand and rubbing my back as we watched our world crumble around us. Both in tears.

I remember feeling unsafe.

I remember crying. For those who died, those who lost, those who helped and most of all, I remember crying for myself and feeling ashamed.

I remember wanting to help but realizing that there were no survivors and I was in high school...with no money...there was nothing I could do.

I remember praying and begging God for mercy.

I remember TJ telling me he wanted to join the military that day. And I remember being selfish and telling him that I didn't want him too.

I remember the unashamed tears everywhere I looked.

I remember feeling proud of my country, not because it was the best or the worst. Simply because it was mine.

I remember the strength that our country showed that day.

I remember the love.

The patriotism.

The unity.

Today, I remember it all.

I will never forget the life's that were lost on this day 9 years ago. And I will forever be thankful for the life's that have been spared because of the brave men and women that have been fighting for our country day in and day out ever since.