Remembering

I am a native New Yorker, born in the Bronx. I grew up across the river in North Bergen, NJ so the World Trade Center was part of the skyline I grew up knowing.  On that day 9/11/2001 I was living in San Antonio, TX already and as I drove to work that morning I decided to leave the radio off. At work everything started to unfold as the news started to come in.  My heart was broken and I was scared. I picked up the phone to contact my Mother who lived in New Jersey and often would go into NYC for meetings. I spoke to her or a few seconds before the phone went dead and I could not get a hold of her until later that evening.  The phone lines were over taken by so many trying to ensure their family members where ok.  

My Father called me at work to tell me one of my Uncles was missing. He worked in the area, but hours later he made it home.  One of my Aunts walked home that day taking her 6 hours. It was a day that changed us forever.

Several months later I felt I needed to pay my respects to those lost on that day and the heroes that risked their lives. I made the long drive to NYC from TX.  The church in the above picture was not damaged in the attack and as I stood outside the fence the tears started to flow down my face. There were so many people standing a long the fence reading the memorials left by the family members who were lost. New York City was not the same as it was when I was growing up.

As the years have past it does not feel like 12 years.  Every year we will continue to remember what took place and be thankful for all the countless heroes. This event reminds us to hug those we love a little tighter and that our freedom often comes at a price. Take a moment to reflect and tell those who are important that you love them.