I’ve been posting this clip all over the internet today because, while the situation depicted is not the same, the words ring true.
”The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels, but every time we think we have measured our capacity to meet a challenge, we look up and we’re reminded that that capacity may well be limitless. This is a time for American heroes. We will do what is hard. We will achieve what is great. This is a time for American heroes and we reach for the stars. God bless their memory, God bless you and God bless the United States of America.”
Yeah, I remember where I was the morning of September 11, 2001. I think most of us do. I had just started eleventh grade. When I arrived to my first class of the day – Foods for Today with Ms. Steen, only the greatest class ever (so amazing I took it twice) – the television was on and everyone was watching, but none of us understood what exactly had happened. I thought it was an accident. Sometimes planes crash, right? Ms. Steen turned off the television and class went on as usual.
Once first block let out, we quickly learned that the situation was clearly far more than just an accident. The rest of the day is a blur. We went to our classes but there were no lessons. The TV was usually on and I vaguely remember spending time in Mr. Heslop’s class just talking through it. I felt nothing. I thought maybe I was heartless but in retrospect I know I was numb.
I spent the next few days watching recaps and memorials and fundraisers. My parents had cable and VH1 was playing videos in tribute. It was the very first time I heard the song Hallelujah (I think they were playing the Rufus Wainwright version) and I will forever associate that song with tragedy. Which is not to say that I don’t love the song because wow. It’s so good.
I had intended to spend today watching Torchwood, but I’ve watching History.com’s video compilation and reading remembrance stories at Band Back Together. And I know I haven’t been posting with much regularity, but I realized after reading those stories that I couldn’t let today go by without posting my own, here, on my poor neglected blog. There have been a lot of events throughout history that have changed the world, but the attacks on September 11 were the first time I really witnessed history in the making. It’s probably safe to say that it was an event that changed who I am as a person. I don’t think it’s cliche for me to take time out of my life to remember what happened, to mourn for the lives lost, and to weep a little (because I have) for those who suffered the greatest.
At the end of the day, despite the sadness, I think it’s wonderful to remember that there were heroes on that day, and despite the mess that the world is right now, heroes still exist.
fearlessly, myself. 