10 years later

I made the mistake of taping every 9/11 special there was last Sunday and a week later, I'm still watching them all.

Ugh.

Bad idea.

I felt a strong duty this year specifically to make sure my students understand 9/11 and the effects of it. Thankfully, they were very responsive and respectable. There was a lot they didn't know about that day and they were happy to learn. Most of them have no idea what life was like before 9/11 because they were only 3.

I also enjoy learning all of the new stories and experiences uncovered from that day. There were so many good things that happened that day and thousands of lives that were saved. I hope we never forget that either.

Watching the new memorials be revealed was particularly special and fascinating considering all of the thought and specifics that went in to making it people friendly.

Watching the Obamas and Bushes walk together with no seeming feeling of angst or competition but rather unity and respect was refreshing yet frustrating... wishing that we felt that political unity every day.

The things I hate most about 9/11 are that it took such a catastrophric event to make us feel united as Americans. Why did we have to go through something so brutal to feel united? I hate that our president has to stand behind glass frames for safety. And I hate that we are scared to get on planes, especially with people who are a different color than us or particularly Middle Eastern. And that you scan the plane when you get on to see if anyone looks suspicious. I hate that our views of religion have been so skewed.

Every anniversary of 9/11 means so much to me, but at the same time... I hate it. I hate the day. I still feel anger. I still feel frustration. It infuriates me. Some things have gotten better and some things have gotten worse. I wish we didn't have to have such honorariums because I wish September 11 wasn't such a scarred day now. As much as you want to make this day "normal" now, it just can never be.

As a firefighter from 9/11 put so truthfully, time is said to heal all wounds... but that just may not be the case for September 11, 2001.