A Reason for Passing on Cautious Optimism

Yesterday was a day of remembrance. It was a day to take stock of where we are as individuals and as a nation, a day to think about the loss of life, a day to pray that our children can be protected, and a day when America lost it's innocence and naivety. 

What lies ahead for those that didn't go through the experience. What happens to those of us that did. I believe it should be a day to rise above our fears,  to serve others, and enjoy everyday with a promise that we will return to time when we fill free again.

Everyone remembers where they were on that morning...I remember. On that morning of September 11, 2001, I was visiting my mother. It was a beautiful morning and I remember feeling good about life and myself. Unfortunately, later that morning our lives would change.

The television was on and I caught a glimpse of  a scene unfolding that made me look twice. A building had just been hit by an airplane. The idea brought back a member when twenty years earlier a pilot had flown his airplane into the San Juan Cathedral. I figured it was going to be a similar account. A few minutes later another plane hit what by now was identified another building that made up the twin towers. At that moment things changed. Another plan crashed into the Pentagon and another plane crashed in a Pennsylvania field. The events were not coincidences, but planned attacks.

At the Trade Center the scenes were horrific and by the end of the day over 3000 lives were lost. All day and for several days, the images were repeated over and over again. The repetition forever etched in our mind buildings collapsing, citizens fleeing through the smoke and rubble. 

Americans lost family, friends, and something dear to us all...our freedom. We all continue to feel the loss. Human nature has us hope that someday we'll return to normalcy. I'm not certain that we will ever return to that place in time. Now what is important are our reaction to hostile events and what we choose to do after the events of 911. Should we believe that we're safe or should we always have to look over our shoulder? How can we make life better for others and ourselves?

There are no real answers. I believe that it is going to be many generations will pass. When those of us that witnessed the events are gone and only the history remains, shall we return to the feelings before 911. Of course, this is dependent on the end of violence on this Earth. Although improbable, it's important to pass on a cautious optimism to future generations.