Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Remembering

I was going to post yesterday. But then it occurred to me that all I would be posting would be a whole lot of nothing. I realized what day yesterday was. And I chose to avoid it until after the kids went to bed last night. Then I watched MSNBC’s airing of the original Today show from 9/11/01.

It also occurred to me that there are probably a lot of people who don’t think that MSNBC should air it anymore. That it brings back too many painful memories. I disagree. I WANT to remember how I felt that day. I WANT to try and put it all into perspective. I don’t want to forget the memories. Because I want to be able to share them with the kids when they are older. They were 2 and almost 3 months old when it happened. So while they can say they were alive, there’s nothing there for them. So when they start studying it, I want to be able to convey the fear, the hopelessness, the pain, the sadness, and the resolve that began on that day and continued for quite a while afterwards. And my heart still breaks for the people that experienced it first hand. It is my dream city, always has been, so to see something so iconic crumble to nothing was mind-boggling. I can’t imagine what it was like to KNOW those buildings. To KNOW the people in those buildings and stand there unable to do anything. It kills me. But that doesn’t mean I want to pretend that it never happened.

I want to remember those feelings so I don’t get bitter about the little things. So I watched and I remembered and reflected. And reminded myself that life isn’t about the stupid stuff that drives me crazy from day to day.

So, that’s just my thoughts on the whole thing. What do you think? Agree or disagree? Should all the video, pictures, survivor accounts, etc. be shoved to the side until they’re entered into some text book 25 years down the road?

5 comments:

tammi said...

I agree. Not so much so that I can give an accurate depiction in the future, but so that we all remember the day, the week, even the month, when we all felt like we needed to love each other and work together, regardless of whether or not we knew each other. Tragedies always create those moments in time where new brotherhoods are formed, and we so quickly forget...

Anonymous said...

I totally agree. If some people choose not to remember, or commemorate it, so be it. I think that it cheapens the deaths of so many people to just shove it under the rug. I feel that the anniversary commemorations are a big part of the grieving process for the families, friends, and for our whole country. I remember being pregnant with Alex at the time, and just bawling, thinking, "What was I thinking, bringing another baby into this fucked up world?" but afterward when everyone banded together, I felt hope.

Tanya said...

We watched the same program.It brought back a flood of emotions.

I agree with valleygirl and baseball mom. It would be disprespectful to toss the day aside.

Anonymous said...

I like to remember and sit on my couch and cry and remember and cry. Not just on September 11th, either. I cannot hear the Star Spangled Banner without my heart coming up out my throat.

Detail Medic said...

I agree with you. I have some very personal ties to that day and cry every year. Then I try to remember what it was like in the aftermath. The silence because there was no airplanes flying, the men armed with automatic weapons in the airports.... I don't want to live like that. God bless our military for what they do too. I hope we don't forget, but I think we already have.