Live every day to the fullest.
In other words: eat more Flourless Chocolate-Chip Cookies.
I struggled with today’s post.
Mostly, I struggled in deciding whether or not to publish any post today. Today: September 11th.
I’d completely forgotten until last night. My initial reaction was to unschedule the recipe post I’d written (ironically enough, for New York-style Cheesecake) and take a day off from blogging, in honor of the victims of 9/11. It seemed wrong and superficial to talk about desserts on the anniversary of a day so many innocent people lost their lives.
However, I’m not sure the victims of September 11th would want that. I think they would want us to honor their memories by celebrating life; by not taking a single moment—or a single person in our lives—for granted. Yes, it’s cliché to say, “Don’t take anything in your life for granted.” But just stop for a second and really think about the meaning behind the cliché. Think about aspects of your life that you do take for granted.
Personally, I can always use a reminder to put the little things—a failed recipe, a bad hair day, even a slow internet connection—in perspective. Likewise with people: instead of getting annoyed at a friend’s bad habit that drives me crazy, I should be grateful the friend is in my life and is therefore able to annoy me.
Also, as horrible as September 11th was, we need to remember that atrocities are still taking place every single day around the world. It’s easy to sit back and pretend we’re being patriotic by waving our American flags and spouting out phrases like: “I’m proud to be an American” and “Support our troops!” But what would really show patriotism would be to get out there and actually do something, whether it be volunteering at a food pantry, writing letters to the brave men and women fighting overseas, etc.
I was so active in high school—visiting nursing homes, making comfort pillows for a local hospital, going to the animal shelter, coordinating service projects through my church… I’m embarrassed to admit that as college work became more time-consuming, I cut back on these other activities and went from helping so many causes to helping very few. I really need to get back into it. Sitting home and pretending to be a good person helps no one.
Question of the Day:
Do you remember where you were on September 11th?
I was in high school, and when my math teacher told us a plane had hit the World Trade Center, I thought he was making a really bad joke. And then some kid did play a really bad joke—he called in a bomb threat to our school, so we spent the rest of the day huddled together in the football stadium. We were hot (It was over 100 degrees), hungry (Our lunches were left in the evacuated building) and scared, with no idea what was going on. Kids didn’t have iphones back then.
But when I got home, I obviously learned that, as bad as my day was, it paled in comparison to the day of so many others.
Qi Ting @ Misadventures of Fat free Baking says
I remember being woken up at 5.30am a few hours the attacks happened at World Trade Center by my parents shouting at me to get up to watch the news that kept replaying the scene. I was 8. It was the worst thing I had ever seen. You’re right. We should be grateful that we can live our every day and live it to the fullest. 🙂
Camille says
I hadn’t watched the news that morning as my oldest child had just begun kindergarten and we were busy getting our morning routine down pat. I remember that day vividly and the stark contrast of how my focused shitfed so quickly from my family to thoughts of thousands of families, the entire USA then Canada too and then back to my immediate family. Real fear, shock, horror, disgust, and then thoughts of overwhelming admiration at the actions of all the decent and honorably qualities that day brought out in so many. You are right to post and right to carry on and live life. You are also right to reflect on your life and to up the ways you can give back– this is always a good thing!
Giulia says
I was at the dentist for a visit with my mom, and we saw it there for the first time: we came home after that and watched the news on tv for most of the day
Nancy says
I was in first grade. My teachers were crying, I believe one of them had a brother at the World Trade Center. I was so young that I didn’t really understand what was happening, or the gravity of the events taking place, but now I try to honor the memory of all those we lost ten years ago.
Ragnhild says
Beautiful post Katie!!
I cant believe that the years have gone so fast! I remember being at school, and our teacher told us. But as the Norwegian kid I was, I didnt really understand how big this was! As I got older, I think it is worse than I did that actually date!
And then, on 22 July this year, when the terror and massacre was in Oslo, I really understod what these kinds of things does to a country! It is so horrible that so many lives was taken away, both in New York and Oslo!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I couldn’t believe the news from Oslo… but then again, I can’t ever believe it when I hear about these things. I just don’t know how someone could do something like that. I tried to think about his upbringing, and about the fact that this guy was obviously suffering from some mental instabilities. A normal person wouldn’t have deliberately caused so much pain. But just reading the stories from the kids oin Oslo made me cry.
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says
I was in 8th grade and found out in my first period math class. I just remember not knowing what to think – i hadn’t even heard of the towers being from kansas city and not knowing much about new york. All i knew is that i was experiencing something that i would remember forever.
Jenny says
This is indeed a beautiful post, as Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner) said. I think it was an even better idea TO post – to post this, and honour those who died by celebrating life. Their lives, and the lives of those of us who still live on.
I was in fifth grade when it happened, but living in Singapore. It probably happened shortly before I went to bed (twelve hour time difference, I think) and I’ve no recollection of what I was doing AT THAT EXACT moment… just because no one in my house was watching the TV or anything. I learned about it when I went to school the next morning, but didn’t really understand it fully. I was a kid, had no clue what the Twin Towers were (or where, for that matter), until I moved to the States the following year. Only then onward could I actually understand the full magnitude and implications of what had happened.
Anyway. Yes. Moni’sMeals is also right: very thoughtful post. You really do have a way with words. Today, especially, I will be even more vigilant than normal in being thankful. (I already make a point of regularly letting those close to me know how much I appreciate them.)
I’ll start with thanking you: Thanks for your continuing to blog and bring cheer to others with your words and delicious baked treats. You teach us all how to maintain our health, which is obviously vital to all of our states of well-being, without sacrificing flavour or enjoyment. That is a wonderful way to celebrate life in and of itself. You’re awesome. 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Oh Jenny, YOU are the awesome one. You make me smile every day :).
Jamie aka "Sometimes Healthy Girl" says
I was planning on flying to Chicago the next day for my first day of college…I was sitting in the dentist office for my last doctor’s appointment before leaving for school. I saw the second plane hit the tower right there in the dentist office. My whole family was stunned. We ended up driving to school rather than flying.
I remember listening to the radio for the entire 8 hour drive as people tried to deal with the reality of what had just happened. Once I got to school, I was away from the tv and radio and caught up in orientation activities. It was almost like I retreated into that college bubble. The New Jersey and New York area people came late, due to issues with flying in. Many of them had lost friends.
Now, living here in NY, this day has taken on a whole new meaning. It feels even closer and even more real.
Michaela says
I am glad you posted.
And thanks for the reminder about helping others and being grateful.
I will never forget 9/11. I just got home from the beach with my mum and was taking a shower, when my dad (I was on vacation with my mum) rang to tell us the news and that we had to switch on the telly. I remember just not getting it, seeing the pictures and all, but thinking it must be a scene from a movie. So strange. Even today it really is hard to believe what happened back then.
amy @lovetotrain says
Its crazy how when terrible things happen your memory works so well. I can’t remember what I ate 3 days ago.. but I remember ten years ago on September 11th I was studying for my final school Biology exam… When I got to school a little bit later that day it was all anyone could talk about. This was in South Africa- September 11th 2001 sent shock waves throughout the entire world.
katie @KatieDid says
I’m glad you decided to post. It’s important to talk about it and remember. What the families and victims would want is remembrance, celebration of life, and just for people to not forget. I’ll be going on a long hike today with friends… celebrating just being alive, having friends to enjoy a day with, and having a capable body to do so much with!
Kat @ a dash of fairydust says
What a wonderful post,Katie! I also think it was right to write it as it honours all the victims of the tragedy from 2001…
I was eight years old at that time and I remeber me sitting in the kitchen with my sister while we waited for our mom to fix our banana sandwiches… We were talking about something funny when suddenly the phone rang. It was my aunt who told my mom to immediately switch on the TV as there were reports broadcasted on every single program… Of course,my sister and I didn’t know what had happened because we couldn’t hear what my aunt was saying,so we were very alarmed when mom ran out of the kitchen and switched on the TV – but as we saw the pictures,we directly understood…
Wow,I just notice how detailed I remember that day!
Arusa says
I was 6 years old when 9/11 happened. I have no memory of 9/11 except that my aunt was thankful that it didn’t hit our area. I asked my mom what we were doing on 9/11 and she said that my dad told us to watch the news on what happened.
Lilly says
I was eleven, it was still early and I was just waking up to get ready for school. We had a tv but never really used it but the night before my mom couldn’t sleep at all and she flipped on the news in the morning for a change. Just before the coverage on the towers my dad called, super early for him, he said he got a weird feeling andbwas just checking in on us ( my parents are separated) then right then the news showed what just happened and both my parents had it on tv while on the phone. I still went to school, in CA, and remember many of the parents and teachers just talking and crying all day and many of us kids didn’t really understand the whole effect. Thenks for such a nuc post today 🙂 celebrate life!
Liz says
I’m really glad to have read your post and seen that I’m not the only one that feels that we need to focus on other things, too. I tried to write a bit about it yesterday but I think I came off a little too strongly, so today I posted a memorial for one of the victims. Today should be about the people, not the fact that we were attacked or that we have a hole in our skyline. We should be thinking about the people, and taking it a step further and doing something to help others. I’m checking out those Africards right now. Thanks for sharing them!
Sweet and Savvy says
Amazing post, Katie! I love the part about being thankful that you HAVE people in your life to annoy you.
I was in second grade when the attacks happened, and I remember vividly watching the towers fall in my music class. My teacher at the time has been my teacher and a great inspiration for me for 13 years now, and I remember how upset she was, and she did a wonderful job explaining to 7 and 8 year old children the severity of the attacks without scaring us.
Maria @ runningcupcake says
I think you were right to post this. Of course it is important to pause and remember, but it is also important to get on with life, like you say.
I was at uni 10 years ago (still on summer break), and I had gone to the cinema. We saw the footage on a TV screen in a shop in the shopping centre, and thought it was a film. Then our cinema got evacuated and we went home and realised that what we saw was actually real.
Jennifer says
Thanks Katie for this post. I remember that day quite well. The sky was so blue that morning. I was a senior in high school at the time and sitting in biology class. The assistant principal came over the PA system and asked that any girl (it was an all girls’ school) who had family working in the WTC or in lower Manhattan come to the chapel. Living just outside of NYC, there was a real possibility that someone’s parents could have been there (thankfully, that was not the case, though other family members were).
Throughout the rest of the day, the teachers wouldn’t tell us much of anything, but some parents came to pick up their daughters early and even some of the school buses came early. The drive home (for me usually about 90 minutes) was really short because there was no one on the roads. It was so eerie.
Aja says
I was only in 2nd grade when 9/11 happened and I’d gotten up for school like normal, turned on the tv and saw it played over and over again on the news channel. I had no idea what the World Trade Center was and I didn’t understand what was happening so I got ready for school like it was any other day, watching Nick Jr and eating fruit loops. It was only after school that I found out what happened. Teachers were apparently told not to talk about it during school because it would upset the kids.
It is important to remember and honour, but also to keep going with life.
Janiek says
I was in 6th grade (I think…), I came home on my lunch hour (I’m 6 hours ahead of time here in the Netherlands, so it was in the afternoon here that it happened).
I was only 8 years old but I still remember so well being absolutely consumed by all the images on tv. It was probably one of the first times I watched the news so intensly for a few weeks in a row.
I understood back then what it was, an act of terrorism, and that it was terrible. But I did not see what it would do in the long term.
Now, as I’m older, I find it impossible to watch the documentaries without crying, I find myself getting sick to my stomach and scared seeing pictures of it, but somehow, whenever I think of it, it makes me think how lucky I am with my life.
Alyssa says
We had just moved into our new house in Los Angeles. My husband and sister-in-law (who lived with is at the time) were at work, and I was sitting in bed with my nearly 2 month-old son when the phone rang. It was my brother, who was a detective in Dallas, asking if our parents, who lived in Boston, had been on a flight to L.A to visit. He couldn’t reach them and was worried (they were both fine, at work). It was 7 am Pacific time, and I had no idea what was happening. He told me what was happening and I ran to turn on the TV. His wife, my (other) sister-in-law, was a flight attendant for American Airlines at that time but, fortunately, was home. She knew the flight attendants on board the plane that went into Tower 1, however, and she resigned after that day. My brother joined the FBI.
Over the next few days we were able to get in touch with friends and family in New York. Luckily most were fine. A few, however, didn’t make it.
I think you’re ABSOLUTELY right, Katie: the ones who died would want us to live as fully as possible. Thanks for a wonderful post!
Ashley says
I was a freshman in high school, but that morning I was still at home waiting for a friend to arrive before my mom took us to school. We were watching Beverly Hill 90210 when she came in and told us to change the channel to the news. I went to school that day,but we had a moment of silence in our first class, and the rest of the day was extremely quiet and somber.
I think this post is beautiful and I’m really glad you went through and posted it. I found the same thing happening to me– I was very active in my church growing up (my dad became a pastor halfway through so it meant even more activity) but when I went off to college, I spent time doing that stuff less and less.
But I agree with you, this is what they would want. To know they are remembered, but that we’re still living, and living each moment to the fullest.
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says
GIving to others gives us so much in return. I hope that we all can find little ways that make a big difference to give back 🙂
Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
I remember the entire day with such vividness. Living in the tri-state area – many of my classmates, teachers, and friends had loved ones who worked in NYC – or in the WTC. When the first plane hit – I was in Spanish. My uncle (school principal) announced it over the loudspeaker.. but no one was sure if it was an accident.. as a parachuter had gotten caught on the Statue of Liberty only days earlier. Accident or terrorism.. it was still panic at the school… teachers and students desperately trying to contact their family on cell phones..
And when the second plane hit – we knew it was no accident. The rest of the day.. was a blur. But a vivd blur – because I remember every blurry thought that was going through my head.. and every blurry moment I made.
lindsay says
i do remember! i was in college and we all stopped in the dorm hallway to watch. So full of fear. But you are right, we need to stop and remember the good and celebrate life, love, and each other.
Dani (Dani Delicatessen) says
I was in the 5th grade (the oldest grade in our school) and all the teachers had been told not to tell us. My teacher (my favorite in all of grade school) knew that we should know what was going on, and were old enough to understand the significance of it. As kids starting finding out more and more the other teachers demanded that we not talk about it-which now looking back was completely ridiculous. I’m currently watching “9/11 Heroes on the 88th Floor” on TLC, i hope the survivors are with family today remembering those who helped them.
Emilia says
Definitely a good choice to post today 🙂
I was nine at the time and it was the first day I was supposed to be able to go outside of school to get lunch, however, once we heard the news we had to stay in. There was a thick grey smoke that started floating over our playground at recess. Then kids started to get picked up…frankly I feel lucky that I was so young and didn’t really know exactly what was going on.
Amber Shea @Almost Vegan says
I was a junior in high school, and I noticed on my way to 2nd period that all the tv’s in all the classrooms were on. I thought it was odd, so I went straight to class to see what was going on. My 2nd period class was, ironically, American History, and we watched the second plane hit. The rest of the day is a bit of a blur.
Katie McInnis says
I was a sophomore in high school. We were just starting English class when the announcement came over the PA system. As we learned more my teacher stopped class, and we listened to the news reports coming in. My English teacher told us we would never forget where we were on that day, and I never have. Honestly I had never been to New York, and really didn’t know what the World Trade Center was, but one of my friends had been to New York many times and she was very upset. After awhile we were all sent home from school. I remember everyone hurriedly packed their things and talked quietly as they left. I found my younger brother and we left quickly. As we were driving down the main street in the city we were met with lines of cars trying to get into the gas stations! The price of gas had gone up to $4.00 within an hour ( Back when gas being $1.95 was considered high!) of the attacks, and everyone was panicked it would go up further. At home I watched the news, and wondered what else might happen. It was a very strange day, because for the first time in my life I didn’t know if I had the security of living in a country where I didn’t have to be afraid of terrorists.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
It’s scary to think what we’ll consider high gas prices ten years from now 😕
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
I was at school too, I was way younger and didn’t even think about it being a big deal. I cannot believe its been 10 years…
Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner) says
This is a beautiful post Katie. I remember that day so well! My grandparents picked me up from school (I was 7!) and they were totally panicked because they couldn’t get hold of the rest of our family, who lived within a few blocks of Ground Zero. Thank God it turned out they were safe, but it was a scary time, and I pray for all those who lost their lives and for those who lost loved ones. Never forgotten <3
Carrie (Moves 'N Munchies) says
DITTO i was 7 and jut got picked up from school.. i had a friend over for a playdate and mymom was lie I NEED THE TV. which NEVER HAPPENED.
im so happy your family was safe emma!
Moni'sMeals says
You are thoughtful with your words Katie. 🙂
I was driving to move from CO to OR with my boyfriend(now husband) to get ready for the upcoming snowboard season. It is still so hard to think this did and could of happened…
I plan on spending today as a celebration for how lucky we all are and how much i love my loved ones. 🙂
Katie @Nutrition In A Peanut Shell says
I was only 5 at the time, but I remember being at Day Care and the aids bringing us all inside, freaking out. My mom came and got me and we just watched the TV as she cried.
There are people in my socialish circle who believe America should just get over 9/11. Some people are so ungrateful.
Happier note; I can’t wait to see the cheesecake recipe!
Jen says
I was in fifth grade in 2001. That morning when my mom and stepdad (who is from New York, and whose family lives there) had the news on, my little brother and I were still home before school. My mom didn’t take us to school that day. I remember it being a very strange day, and I don’t think I understood the impact of what happened at the time, but I remember being scared that something might happen to Los Angeles too. Everyone in my stepdad’s family was fine, but his sister (a nurse at a hospital) saw a plane go into one of the buildings. I can’t even imagine.
Heather says
I was in my first year forestry class and my professer came in in tears and told the class. We were all devastated and class was cancelled!
Liz @ lactosefreelizzie says
I was in preschool when 9-11 happened, so I don’t remember any of it.
My mother’s really good friend was in one of the planes tho. 🙁
Mellie says
I was 5 and didn’t know anything had happened-my parents didn’t want to scare me. I am so sorry for the family and friends who died. God bless America.
Kaitlyn@TheTieDyeFIles says
I couldn’t have said this any better. I think far too often we see people with things like “United We Stand” bumper stickers, huge flags outside our houses, claiming patriotism, when in actuality our actions speak louder than words. I have pretty strong ideas on politics, but they center around dropping whatever you think about the party with which you’re not affiliated and doing something to help our country, working together. And that’s exactly what those people who lost their lives 10 years ago did. I can’t agree more that we need to celebrate life today, and the fact that we’re here thanks in part to those brave men and women.
Thanks for the Larabars, on an unrelated note 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Sometimes I would like to ask those people with the “support our troops” bumper stickers, “So… how exactly are you supporting our troops?” It’s easy to slap on a bumper sticker. Not so easy to actually DO something. And I am guilty of this too; I need to DO more in my life for others.
Kaitlyn@TheTieDyeFIles says
Yes, that is EXACTLY how I feel. And I, too, need to get better about doing something. Let’s brainstorm and get the blogger world in on some sort of action 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I’m in 🙂
Rebecca says
I was in my first period, freshman year of high school. One of the teachers came in and said that a plane had hit the towers. He said it casually like it was a weird accident. It wasn’t until lunch when we made our way to the library that we realized it was no accident.
Kristin @ STUFT Mama says
Wonderful post Katie. It was my first year teaching and I remember not having any clue how to handle the situation and talk about it with my students. Thanks for reminding all of us to cherish everyday we have. 🙂 It’s always nice to take a step back and put things in perspective.
Albizia says
I was at home watching TV on a sunny September afternoon. Then suddenly the news started on every channel and I couldn’t believe my eyes. I still feel a little weird when I watch some old movie and the towers appear in the background.
Samantha says
I was in grade seven at the time and we had just come in from lunch. My teacher Mme Danielle came in and had this look of horror on her face. She had just finished telling us how she was walking her dog, went back in the house turned on the tv and was watching the news. She explained to us the incident that happened, while crying. At first I was a bit confused, not to say I was a dumb kid, but we were sitting there listening to her speak, and I’m doing the translation in my head from French to English, trying to figure out if I’d missed something, and the only thing I could think of is, why is she crying over tourism? Needless to say I didn’t quite understand until I went home and saw it on the news for myself.
Samantha
http://flavorator.blogspot.com/
emma says
I was in the supermarket with my mum right before I went off to uni….I remember people standing around the TVs in the store, looking on with shock. There was quite a crowd so I took a look and remember feeling all strange inside. Anger, shock, terror, helplessness…..and I still feel like that today as I think of the victims and the scene unfolding. Love to all on this day of reflection xoxoxo
Elizabeth Adao says
Hey Katie! I really enjoyed this post. You’re so right about all you just said. We take too many things for granted, and that we should act instead of pretend.
On 9/11 I was in third grade in Brooklyn, New York. Unfortunately I didn’t care enough at that age. And my school hid it from us. For many months I lived smelling the tragedy, and it’s a smell I will never forget. The sky was raining burnt papers and for weeks after, every wall had missing persons papers. It was so horrible and I get emotional remembering. I remember when I went to visit my grandpa in the nursing home days after I looked out the windows and just saw the few remains. It looked like a few popsicle sticks put together.
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Yes I remember exactly where I was. Scott and I had *just* moved across the country together and we were living 2000 miles from any friends or family in a quiet, remote, beach town when we heard the news. We truly only had each other and it was such a scary & surreal time. The memories of those ensuing days are burned in my brain, forever.
I think that your post is such a good reminder for many things…including take nothing for granted!
Ashley says
Its so weird considering i was sooo young, but i remember exactly where i was!! I was at school and my teacher came runninc back in the room and cut the TV on as soon as the second tower was hit!! I had no clue how big of a deal it was then either!! I was really active in highschool with volunteering and stuff too. Seems like now i dont have time for anything but college and work 🙁
Lindsay @ bikingbefore bed says
I was a sophmore in high school and I was in chemistry lab. I remember we were al so excited because we got called out of class to go to a special assembly. I still feel awful to this day about how excited we were just mere moments before we found out about the catastrophe. Thanks for this post in honor of this day.
Nichole says
i don’t think i will ever really forget where I was on this day ten years ago. mostly, it was really confusing. I was 11 and in 6th grade-middle school. I remember, around 2nd period (i was in science class) the principal came in to our class and asked the teacher to step outside. She came back in, and i guess no one thought anything of it. Then, the same thing happened in my next class, chorus. The teacher got called out and talked to the principal. she came back in and seemed a little different, but not a big deal i guess. My next class was history. The principal called out the teacher-and by now i knew something weird was happening, but i had no clue what. when my teacher came back in, she looked really upset, so i knew something was wrong. Then i remember in the last period, the principal announced to the school that something bad had happened and to ask our parents about it once we were home-and to be careful on the way home. It was so confusing. There were rumors among students about what had happened, but i really had no clue. I got home and called my mom and asked her what happened. she told me planes hit the world trade centers, terrorists were involved, etc. i had no clue what these words meant or what had really happened. i didn’t fully understand until i saw it on tv, or the next day in school, when we discussed it. I was mostly upset because i had soccer try outs that day which my parents wouldn’t let me go to-they said they were probably cancelled anyway, but i was still mad. i really wanted to go to those..clearly the gravity of the situation didn’t sink in until later and i felt really awful. i ended up writing a poem about it.
It’s so true that we don’t appreciate what we have until its gone. i try my best not to take anyone or anything for granted-and to appreciate everyone for who they are instead of expecting them to be perfect. I think if people could just accept eachother’s differences and realize how much we as humans have in common, none of this awful stuff would happen. Hatred can do terrible things and i think everyone needs to take time to put things in perspective before they go about hating someone.
vegirl says
I was only five when 9/11 happened– I was in my own little world and probably didn’t really get what really happened. Of course we lived on the west side of Washington state– opposite side of the US! Such a lovely post, too, Katie.
Liz @ Southern Charm says
This is beautiful. We should live our life to it’s fullest since it’s the one we got.
When I heard about the 9/11 attacks, it was my senior year of high school. I recall the principal coming over the loudspeakers telling our teachers to turn on the t.v.’s in our classrooms. It was scary. Those poor people and families. It breaks my heart.
L. says
You are beautiful!!! 🙂 Africards–wonderful! 🙂
On September 11th, I was in seventh grade. 😛 I had block scheduling, it was done with four 1hr and 15min classes. All of my teachers had their tvs on and at least half were in tears–all very upset. The main feeling I felt was confusion. I didn’t really grasp what was happening. I remember coming home from school–the road was empty. I live next to a highway. Silence. Eerie silence. And it always vibrates here because of that stupid highway. I’d love any silence of that highway–except if the circumstances are like what they were. That’s when I really felt the emotion set in. Kind of like a pain in my gut, and a guilt because I couldn’t do anything.
An interesting day. Still feels like it was just a couple years ago. I can’t believe it’s been ten years and that I was eleven and now I’m 21. WEIRD!!!
Robin says
I find it hard to believe that ten years have already passed since the horrible events of 9/11. I was only six then, and in primary school when it happened. Back then I never really understood the attack (the terrosism behind it), but now it terrifies me horribly.
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
I was in class — it was my second week of college. It was such a strange day because no one knew what was going on, we had to piece everything together. When I finally got home (they closed the whole campus eventually), my mom met me outside in tears. We watched the news for the rest of the day and I will never forget watching that footage.
Marianne says
No one will ever forget where they were on Sept 11, 2001 (unless they were like, under the age of 4). It doesn’t matter where you are from, you will always remember.
And I don’t think it’s wrong to go on with your regular routine, posting about desserts, or shoes, or whatever it is you want. That doesn’t make you disrespectful, it doesn’t make you insensitive, and it doesn’t make you a bad person. Regardless of whatever horrible tragedy’s anniversary it is, life goes on. If we didn’t live life on these days, we’d probably spend more time “in memory” than actually living, doing, changing, helping, growing…and that isn’t the point. Take a moment, reflect, say a prayer or whatever you need to, and continue on.
Kate says
I was on the Universe Explorer with Semester at Sea headed to Japan. We had no idea that the United States had been attacked because it was a time before constant connection was available. I was actually in Hiroshima on September 12 when I was finally informed. It was months before I was able to find a decent english-speaking news coverage videotape of the event. Even contacting friends and family back in the States was tricky for the first week after the event. We, on Semester at Sea, were considered thus forth as a “moving target” and our loved ones at home could no longer track our whereabouts on the internet.
Jenny$1983 says
I appreciate your circumspection, I think it’s so lacking in the majority of the human race: as I type this there is a Unicef appeal on the TV explaining that in Somalia, a child dies of starvation every six minutes. That is just one problem of MANY on this planet. Thank you for this post.
Steffany says
I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was a freshman in high school, in my second period social studies class, watching it on the new in horror and disbelief. It was so surreal. I still get teary watching or reading news footage today, especially the story of the man in the red bandanna I watched the other day on ESPN. The tragedy that unfolded that day is what moved my boyfriend to join the US military to serve & protect his family, friends, and country. Always remember, never forget 911/01. Can’t believe it’s been ten years !!
Steffany says
Also, my boyfriend was working as an ironworker at the time, and left with some of his coworkers/family members to help in the cleanup/aftermath, but was turned away. Looking back, it was probably a blessing in disguise, as you see how many of those workers are suffering from illness like the commenter above me mentioned.
Maya says
Your Africards are so great!
I totally agree with you about atrocities still happening, and the need to do more than just shout patriotic things. We need to do something to help create tolerance in this world so that things like this can stop happening!
I remember where I was…in college, 3 days before my 18th birthday (which fell on the day of our first dance)…we all realized there were way more important things than finding dates to our dance!
Alex @ Raw Recovery says
I was in my seventh grade life science class when my teacher told us. At the time, I didn’t even know what the World Trade Center was because I had never been to New York. A year later though I did go to visit Ground Zero, and there was a palpable vibe that just made me so sad; thinking that this was where people died, and others were traumatized. 10 years later we are seeing the toll that the smoke took on the firefighters and others who helped because they are now contracting illnesses from it and still dealing with PTSD problems. They need our love and prayers too.
Marcee says
Your post was a fine idea Katie. Let us (all) always remember September 11. Never to forget what happened on that unspeakable day, to every victim that lost their life. To every family that lost loved ones.
The days, weeks, months and years ahead have been filled with grief, sorrow and such tremendous sadness. We do have to move on though …. but, never-ever forget.
I was working from home on this day ….. along w/a friend. We were on separate floors. As I was about to finish breakfast, while watching Katie Couric and Matt on the Today Show, all of a sudden those horrid images appeared. It was just absolutely dream-like. That I was not even awake or in my kitchen.
Throughout the years, I never forgot. With each package, letter or postal sent, I would always attach a red, white and blue ribbon-sticker. It meant a lot. To always remember these thousands of innocent victims.
Love reading your posts Katie.
Going Steady says
I used to commute through the WTC (post-attack), and I thought of those people every single day as the train pulled around that big hole. Even now, every day, I tell my hubby that I love him as he goes to work because you never know if someone will come home–and he used to work in WTC 7, so I’m especially thankful for him. I often think of my friend whose mother was killed in the attack, but this year she decided to honor her mother by BEING a mother and spending the day with her own daughter. I think my friend, and you, have it right–the victims of 9/11 would likely want their loved ones to be happy and safe, and to embrace life, and to remember and honor them by trying to be grateful for what we have while we have it.
This is the first, and probably last, time I will ever really talk about 9/11.
Peace.
Heather says
I was a senior in college and worked at a coffee shop in a mall. That morning I was driving to work, listening to Howard Stern. As he is a NYC resident, his coverage was understandably emotional and serious, a stark contrast from his usual broadcasts. It was just so very real. I think I came in just after the first plane hit. I was utterly shocked. The mall closed early that day and I went home to watch the same images over and over on the news and talk to my parents. The mood was so solemn and somber every where I went for weeks following this. It hit really close to home as I was a flight student attending Embry Riddle Aeronautical University where some of the hijackers allegedly studied.
Liz says
I support the troops… but I also believe supporting them would mean you want them to come home 😉
Sarah says
I just remember that my dad’s papers to resign from the army were blown up in the Pentagon, so they started to try to call him back to the army and put him in Iraq. Still can’t believe that out all the tiny bit blown up, his papers were in that. We got so lucky they sorted it out.
Also, glad you decided to post something anyways, Katie. My uncle’s birthday is 9/11 and though we honor the people who died, we still celebrate him too.
Lori says
I wave my flag and I have my “Support our Troops” sticker on my car because our son just returned from Afghanistan. He spent the past year clearing roads of bombs not only for other military personnel, but for the people that live there…people who throw rocks at the soldiers as they go by. Not all are like that, but, in spite of what the liberal media spews out, our soldiers are still out there, laying their lives on the line for OUR freedom to say what we want to each and every day. Don’t condemn those who wave those flags and shout supposed euphemisms….they may just have a loved one off in some foreign land fighting for your freedoms.