9/11

My son had an assignment today. He was required to interview me about how I experienced 9/11/2001. I can't say my experience is any different than yours. He forced me to think about that day and what, 14 years later, realizations I might have.

He asked me what I remember. I remember being at a story time at a local bookstore and one of the employees interrupted every mothers' attempt to create a peaceful, but eventful morning (story time often leads to good naps) for our children. She hollered that a building was on fire in NYC as was the Pentagon. Story time = over. The rush began. What normally was a 15 minute ride home became a several hours ride. Traffic stopped, people leaving their cars on the side of the road and choosing to walk instead. While the Pentagon was not in sight, the smoke was. It created its own tower into the sky. I remember feeling confused and fearful.

I lived in a neighborhood in Arlington, VA that was a true community so, eventually, when we arrived home, the neighbors all gathered. One of our neighbor's ran an extension cord through their home to the front yard and we watched the story unravel on a small TV. The kids played and we watched knowing that our lives, but more importantly, their lives had changed.

When M asked me today what I've come to believe about 9/11, what I really wanted to say is that our world is a crazy mess. How could I say that, though? So, I thought a little more - not to please him, but to realize my own truth. I told him that maybe 9/11 caused us to open our eyes a little more. To be more aware of other religions, skin colors, ideas, beliefs. I told him that not everyone loves America. We do some things wrong, but we do things right - and we do lots of things well. Our freedom is enviable and unattained by many. There was a time when America seemed unstoppable, unable to be shaken. This was the end of that.

I could argue that this event has led to our own reassessment of our beloved country. Maybe the turmoil we feel and see now is the beginning of a metamorphosis - a change into something more joyful - humane - patient - humble.  If I repeat this enough, I actually believe it.