September 11th -- Never Just Another Day

Today, September 11, 2009 -- eight years ago on September 11, 2001, Americans learned just how special every breath of life is, and how special every day is. We watched our TV's in horror, wondering what was going on -- only to realize terrorists had proclaimed war on our Nation. Freedom is never free. It comes with a gigantic price tag of blood, sweat, tears, death, and struggle.

Like those of you reading this, I will never forget that date. I awoke early without a TV on. I wanted silence so I could concentrate. Strange. I've never wanted such silence since that date. My husband phoned me, wanting to know if I had the TV on. "No," I said. "I wanted silence this morning."

Knowing me as he does, he knows what a news freak I am. Normally, I watch the Today Show while dressing, doing my hair and make up, but for some strange reason, on 9/11 the TV was silent. My husband encouraged me to turn the TV on because a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. My first reaction was, "Oh my God. Someone is attacking America." It was only a few minutes after 9am when I turned the TV on and watched in horror. Tears were in my eyes, and when the first building crumbled to the ground, I screamed. News breaks were pouring in. Much of the news would change moments later as the stories continued to develop. As a writer, I wished to be there, to get the stories I could write. Later, I decided it was best I wasn't there. How could I write about such tragedy.

Later that date, a friend phoned me, wanting to know if I had heard about the Twin Towers and all that had happened. She was crying hysterically and I tried to soothe her, only to discover someone she knew only briefly had been in the Twin Towers that morning. Reportedly, she had phoned her husband telling him she was trapped and she would jump to her death. She was in her mid twenties and eight months pregnant. I shared my friend's grief. Only three months ago she announced her pregnancy, so the relationship of someone eight months pregnant, jumping out of a window was a vivid image neither of us wanted to imagine. "How can I bring a baby into this world?" She asked.

So much has changed within our world since '9-11'. We grumble at the airports when we are restricted to pack liquids within the 3-1-1 rule in our carry on luggage. We feel invaded, removed of our freedom as we strive to be the citizens we were before 9-11. As travelers, we find ourselves curious when our flights are delayed, but we are ever so careful not to mention terrorist, threats, or any keywords that might make us suspicious to others. We are told not to leave our luggage alone, and to not accept luggage from others. On two occasions I have questioned someone who leaves luggage for only a moment. On one occasion a woman carrying an infant told me to watch her luggage while she went to the ladies room. Years ago, I would have smiled at her and nodded my head yes while watching her luggage. On this occasion, I smiled but reassured her that the luggage was her responsibility and as a good citizen, I could not watch her luggage. She snided me, turned her head away from me while calling me a bitch.

Yes, 9-11 has changed everyone. And today, I ache for those 3000+ people who perished. The pregnant woman who jumped out of a window. Today she would be the mother to an eight year old child. So sad. Tears are in my eyes as I remember this date.

Eight years later, I am older and wiser, still married to a Vietnam Veteran who in many ways never returned from a war zone. Eight years later and America is at war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Eight years later and soldiers return from two, three, four, five tours of duty in a war and they are never the same. How can they be? War is something I can only imagine. Children using their innocence to kill others. Soldiers on guard, fearful to trust anyone but a 'band of brothers.' And there are people like me, sitting in airports, cautious and fearful. Knots of butterflies dance inside my stomach now every time I fly, but after a few flights I have finally taught myself how to pack light and apply the 3-1-1 rule.

I've always believed in the philosophy that rules are made to be broken, but after 9-11, I discovered that many rules are made to protect us. Maybe there is inconsistency within every airport, and certain 'rules' do not apply at every airport, but if we play by their rules, perhaps we will have a safe journey, while remembering 9-11, and how special life, love and a brand new day can be for us.

September 11, 2001 taught me to appreciate the journey as we live, along with the journey we learn to appreciate when unexpected tragedies occur. Life is a gift. We must learn to live it with respect, pride and appreciation. Let us never forget '9-11.' My heart goes out to those who lost family members, friends, loved ones on 9-11, and beyond. We must not forget those who have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, fighting for our freedom. Someone said "War is Hell," and I have no doubt those words are so true. Soldiers return home -- to reenter a life of freedom, only to realize they cannot forget what happened 'over there,' nor can they share those experiences with family members.

Let us take a moment from our busy days today to remember 9-11. The heroes. Soldiers. Family members. 9-11. We will never forget.