Ten Years

Please no comments on this post, nor on the Facebook link to this post. It's just me thinking out loud, and I kind of don't want input on this one. Thanks :-)

I was in the eighth grade in my Algebra class when I found out. I was young, and didn't understand. By the time I got home from school, my eyes were just glued to the T.V. screen, trying to figure out why on earth these planes flew through these tall buildings. I don't know when exactly I understood that it was an attack on our country from a group of people that severely perverted a beautiful religion that actually preaches peace, charity, tolerance, and hospitality. 

I spent a lot of time today reflecting on how this day should commemorated. I don't personally know anyone who was directly affected by the Twin Tower attacks, so when I watch the special programs on T.V. on what happened that day and my eyes fill with tears, I feel kind of pathetic, like what do I know? I can't possibly understand what these people went through. But, as cheesy as this may sound, I think it makes me emotional because I really am touched by a sense of nationalism, patriotism....both of which can be dangerous when taken to extremes, but absolutely befitting in moderation, I think. 

I also feel like this isn't just a day of remembrance for Americans. That may seem inappropriate, but 372 foreign nationals perished as a result of those 19 monsters. On that day alone. Not including the soldiers we've lost all over the world since then, fighting America's so-called "War on Terror." Don't worry, I won't voice my opposition to that mess right here right now.

The conclusion I came to in deciding how to honor those who fell that day is this. I think it's important to realize and commemorate the tragedy that occurred on American soil that took ~2,669 American lives, but it's equally important to simultaneously recognize that we are not the only nationality or religion (Christianity in general) that suffered at the hands of al Qaeda on that day, nor the days preceding...nor the days following. In honoring the heroes of 9/11, I feel an overwhelming sense of patriotism (which is actually quite rare for me these days, to be honest), but more so......an overwhelming sense of empathy and compassion for human suffering in general that occurred that day, and in the days to follow as a direct result of the tragedy of 9/11/2001.

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There are a lot of terrible, hateful songs that were written as a result of this day and that have only further damaged the arrogant American image (Toby Keith, anyone??), but there are also some that I think are appropriate tributes. Some songs that I listened to today:

Simon & Garfunkel actually wrote the "Song of Silence" in response to the Kennedy assassination, but today Paul sang it live at Ground Zero.

This isn't a 9/11 tribute, but I still love this song, and listened to it on the way to church actually, haha. It still seemed fitting for the day, somehow. Judge me if you want.