We Remember | September 11 2001

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

The Morning of September 11 2001

I remember. On September 11, 2001 nearly 3,000 people lost their lives because of terrorist attacks.

I remember at the time I was a teacher at a small Christian school; Sunset Park Christian School.

It was the same school that I myself had graduated from. At the time I taught the 4th and 5th grade kids.

The school principal informed us that an attack had happened, but we didn’t have many details; and we had no TVs there to see what was happening.

So, at that time I didn’t fully understand the gravity of the situation, I don’t think any of us did.

As a school we prayed about what was happening, but we continued on with our day as usual.

Later that Day on September 11 2001

After school that day I headed home and turned on the news to see what had happened with these terrorist attacks.

Like many others, various emotions started to hit me, it was a wave of emotions coming and going.

I felt shock, confusion, sadness, and anger.

I just couldn’t understand why someone would do this. How they could have so much hate, bitterness, or anger inside that they would do this.

I still don’t understand it, I feel that I literally can’t comprehend how someone like that thinks or feels that would enable them to carry out an act of terror like that.

And I’m not just talking about 911, but all of the other tragic events that have happened all around our world; and sadly the events that continue to take place.

I remember hearing about how other people felt and were reacting to it.

Some folks cheered (sadly), while others wept. Many got angry, and some folks just felt numb.

Now, I’m not writing this blog post to point fingers at who is to blame or to discuss what may or may not have been covered up, I feel that plenty of that has went around and continues to take place.

I’ll just say this and this is what I believe: In the end justice finds everyone.

I didn’t intend to write a blog post at all about 911, but as I sat down to write my blog I saw the black ribbon on Google’s page, the black ribbon to remember September 11.

I started to remember that day, and I felt the need and want to write about it.

I don’t feel that it is healthy to dwell on such events, especially for an extended period of time, because of the painful emotions these tragedies bring to the surface.

However, I believe it is very important to remember these events; and not so much the terrorism, but those who lost their lives and those who still live today but lost someone they knew and perhaps loved.

That’s why I write this, to remember and honor them.

I come to my blog just about everyday, and I’ve created a 9/11 category just for this post. I know that I will see it and it will help me to remember. That way I can take a moment to send positive thoughts and a prayer out to those who still carry the pain of what happened on 9/11.

I think it is important to document these things so that we don’t forget those who lost their lives, and so that it is there for future generations to know what happened.

That is how we remember World War 1, World War 2, the Oklahoma bombing, the Boston marathon bombing, the school shootings, and the many other tragic events that happened around the world.

9/11 – Dwell on the Heroes

You know, I’m somewhat reluctant to hit the publish button for this post because I know that for some the memories of 911 are very painful. I don’t want to cause pain, but I think it is important to remember; and I think it is important for others (and especially those who lost someone) to know that we remember….to know that we haven’t forgotten.

And sometimes to remember, means that we have to deal with those painful memories and emotions.

However, I always like to leave things off on a positive note; and this is what I choose to do. I remember and honor those who lost their lives that day, and those who still live; but lost someone they knew….

….but I dwell on the heroes of that day.

Instead of dwelling on who should be blamed, who was at fault, and who still needs to be punished for 911 (which breeds negativity); I’m thinking about the heroes of that day.

I mean, think about it. Think about the men and women who risked and lost their lives to save others. They boldly tossed their own safety aside and with courage tackled danger to save others.

No one made them do this, they made a choice.

You know what that tells me? That despite the negativity, the bullshit, and all the bad in our world; love, hope, faith, and goodness is still alive and well! Most have just stopped focusing on it.

So I choose to focus on that, all of the goodness that is out there and the love and goodness that is within many other people.

Be the Change You Want to See in the World

Let us be the change that we want to see in the world. Focus on becoming a better you each day.

Lead by example.

Be just.

Do good.

Be a beacon of hope, love, and faith.

Focus on speaking and ACTING in a positive way, making it your goal to be the best, most positive You possible; and never let go of the hope and faith that your good, positive words and actions will inspire and instill in others to do the same.

The more good and positive energy/deeds/actions we put out there, the less negativity there will be.

I Remember,
Adam Waller