How I remember that fateful day

9/11/2001

Lately, I often find myself thinking of that fateful time. Not as a reminder that terrorism exists. Not as a comment on the immigration controversy, nor the various “lives matter” campaigns, nor any of the issues that are dividing us.

How do I remember that day?

I remember that for a short time, we were together. We supported each other. We helped each other. We prayed together, cried together, shared our fears, our worries, our hopes, and our love with each other. We didn’t think about if you were Republican, Democrat, Green, or independent; black, white, red, or yellow; conservative, liberal, moderate, or progressive.

We were Americans! We put aside our differences. We banned together. We even tried to see a little beauty in this most tragic situation. What beauty? The beauty in the fact that we were coming together as Americans. We noticed that those differences mentioned above were indistinguishable among the people at the scene who were covered in soot.

WE WORKED TOGETHER TO TRY TO FIND SOLUTIONS, TO SAVE THE LIVES OF THE TRAPPED, TO SUPPORT THE ONES LEFT BEHIND. WE HONORED THOSE PUTTING THEMSELVES IN HARM’S WAY.

For a short time, we were reminded of what should be our priority. For a short time, we put our egos and righteous indignation and moral superiority behind us. We did not accuse, curse, blame or disrespect each other. We did not burn the flag, we waved it with pride.

Although we promised to never forget, although we promised to always remember what occurred in our country not just at that moment but the days that followed, it did not last. The memory seemed to start to fade just a few weeks later. Now, we seemed to have forgotten totally. We not only have returned to our old ways but we renewed them with a vengeance.

So, I recall that day so I can remember how it was if only for a short time and pray that one day it will be again.