never forget



Photo credit: http://www.12ozprophet.com/.

      Ten years ago, that day, that act, was meant to bring fear into our hearts and tear our country apart. But as that day proved, and so many since, America was not broken on September 11th. Where fear was supposed to overwhelm, hope was ignited. Where panic and pain was supposed to pull us apart, heroism and selflessness brought us together. I know that we still have a long way to go as a country and as individuals, but remembering those who lost their lives that day, whether they were just going to work on any other Tuesday morning or if they willingly put their lives at risk to help perfect strangers, and those who lost loved ones.

     So far this morning, I've watched over two hours of newscasts about 9/11/01 and all that has changed since, for the better and for the worse, but the most inspiring thing I've seen so far is what is going on in Seattle. The Pay It Forward Foundation is carrying out random acts of kindness throughout Seattle, trying to encourage others to pay it forward as well and to show how America can come together again, without a terrible tragedy as an igniter.

     As of this anniversary of 9/11/01, more than half of my life has been spent in post-9/11 America. Even 10 years later, it still doesn't seem real. But every time I go to the airport or hear about hate-crimes committed on Muslim-Americans, I am reminded that once, our world was torn apart. But that tear is being put back together and will one day be stronger than we were before.



Photo credit: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/.





Photo credit: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/.




Photo credit: http://www.af.mil/.