Taking Back 9-11

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

It's the 6th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. Like Pearl Harbor before it, September 11th is a day that will live in infamy for our generation. My daughter, who will be 7 in November, has no real clear cut idea of what today means. She just knows that today is a sad day. She cannot comprehend what happened. She cannot fathom the depth of grief, fear or pain that occurred.

I am glad.

Taking Back Today

I remember each and every detail of the day in stark relief. I remember the way the house smelled. I remember the clothes I was wearing. I remember what each member of my family was doing. This day is forever etched and I do not feel like I will ever forget it. We were all touched by the tragedies of that day and together we can all take back today to give it to our children in such a way that it honors those who were lost, but does not mire us down in grief. Today, there will be a Cub Scout demonstration and recruitment drive at our local elementary schools. I say brava!

Today, a little girl turns 13 down the street and they are having her birthday party today and celebrating today for the first time in six years. I say brava!

Today, I am turning off all the images of the towers falling because I don't need to see it again. I saw them fall. I've heard the phone calls. I don't need to see it again and reopen the wound. It's time to let the wound close and heal and it's time we moved on.

Never Forget

Moving on doesn't mean forgetting. Moving on means paying tribute to those who were lost by living our lives to the fullest, by experiencing our lives on a very real and intimate level and by not letting the terrorists win.

Today is the day that I take a moment of silence during the 8 o'clock hour this morning and then we go on. Life goes on. In my heart, in my mind and in my soul - I will never forget this day or what it meant, but I want to take it back and have it mean new beginnings, new inspirations and a will to achieve so much more. Today, I take back my 9-11.

Will you take it back with me?

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Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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