The tenth anniversary of the tragic 9/11 attacks is upon us. Where were you?
It was a Tuesday morning and suprisingly I was not auditing at a client’s headquarters in south Georgia, but in Midtown Atlanta. Word was a plane crashed onto the interstate – ummmm, no. I soon learned the events of the morning, went home when the office was closed and planted myself in front of the TV, numb with shock. Lots of coworkers were trying to get back to Atlanta from near and far since flights were grounded. The next event I remember was attending a packed memorial service the following Tuesday at a church on Peachtree Street. I felt like the national sense of security had been ripped away. I also felt comforted by the community heartache.
Tell me, where were you that day and how will you remember?
Maybe you will give blood, maybe you will participate in a food drive, maybe you will say a prayer. I hope you will also talk about your memories with those you care about. Perhaps you have a child in your life who is confused by the events of the day. If so, I encourage you to watch this video, What Happened: The True Story of September 11, 2001 designed by Nickelodeon to specifically answer kids’ questions and convey a sense of the national tragedy. The video features kids with first-hand experiences of the day as well as answers to kids’ questions. The 22 minute piece doesn’t include many of the terrifying images of 9/11 and, in the end, reminds us of the unity the nation felt in our need for collective grieving.
Lynn’s letter (pictured here), which she sent to emergency responders on the one year anniversary of the attacks, continues to offer good advice when dealing with grief. Talk with others and write about your feelings – together we’ll learn to respectfully weave the deepest sadness into our lives and grow stronger because of it.
“Dear America,
Though September 11 is beyond imaginable we need to move forward. This will be hard for [me] as well as the rest of America.
As a country we need to join together. With each other we can make it through this tough time. When it happened I did not understand. Now after 1 year I have begun [sic] to understand. Talking and writing about 9/11 has really helped. It might help you, too.
I have many hopes for America. I hope we become stronger as a nation. I hope we continue our patrisom [sic]. I hope we continue to work hard. I hope the economy is rebuilt and most of all I hope we will help each other.
God Bless America!
Sincerely, Lynn”
“Dear America,