Dear Elli,
Today is September 11th. That doesn't mean much to you right now. But it will. Because it should. And as you grow, we will talk about it more and more.
You already know it is a day we remember. A day when we remember so many heroes who helped others. Who saved lives. That's what you know right now. And that's the most important thing to know about September 11th.
But someday you'll know the whole story. All the details. You'll learn about it in school. And you'll learn about it from me. You will never forget. Because I will never forget.
On September 11, 2001, I was 19 years old. Just starting my second year of college. Convinced the world was in my back pocket and it was just a matter of time before I ruled it. Innocent. Naive. Young.
That day was beautiful. Sunny and warm. And I was on my way to class. Humanities 2.
I made a quick stop in the bookstore before class and saw the first tower in flames on one of the TV's. Everyone still thought it was an accident. A terrible accident, but just an accident. So I went to class.
We were all sitting in the auditorium waiting for our professor. She was late. But then she hurried in. Disheveled and distracted. To the podium. And she declared, "Ladies and gentlemen, our nation is under attack".
I will never forget that statement. Or the fear in her eyes. Not ever.
That was the moment I grew up. Really grew up. And realized that bad things really do happen. For real.
But in the face of all the horror and destruction. And despite the hate and ignorance that caused it all. There were heroes. So many more heroes than monsters. Heroes who ran into those burning buildings to save others. Who sacrificed their own lives to ensure no more were lost. Who proved that humanity's beauty still far outweighs the ugly.
And even though I was scared. And forever changed. I saw the heroes. And their effect on me was so much greater than the hate. Because humanity is amazing. And when our people come together in terrible times of need, miracles happen. And it is amazing.
It made me proud. And I'm still so proud. I'm proud of New York. And DC. And of the profoundly heroic men and women on Flight 93. I'm proud of all of us. And I'm proud to be an American.
President George W. Bush made a speech at Ground Zero a few days later. With a bullhorn. There were people in the crowd shouting. I think one of them asked if he could hear them. He stopped, looked back at them, and answered, "I can hear you! The rest of the world can hear you! And the people who knocked these buildings down are going to hear all of us soon!"
And regardless of political affiliation or personal opinion about his presidency, at that moment he was a leader. Our leader. And I cried. Even though I didn't vote for the man. I cried because I was proud. Of him. Of all of us.
And that's why September 11th is important. It's so important to remember. To never forget. That we live in a country made up of unbelievable heroes. And even though we make a mess of things often enough, we are also amazing. Unforgettably amazing.
I love you.
Mom
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