Remembering 9/11

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Getty Images

We've had a string of stunning blue-sky, perfect September days here in the New York area, and today is no exception. It is the kind of day that makes seven years disappear in an instant, and a morning that looks so happy is suddenly achingly sad. We remember, all too clearly, that fateful, terrible blue-sky morning. As we should.

I live in a town where 17 dads and moms who rode the train to work in the morning didn't return home. Many others lost family members. They all have rebuilt their lives with grace and the support of family and friends, but it's so important to stop and remember what they have gone through to get to today. Just as we need to remember the people they loved who died on the morning of September 11, 2001.

My kids were little seven years ago, and somehow their amazing teachers shielded them from the horror all day. My first-grade son at the time had no idea his cherished first-grade teacher was worried sick about her husband. (He was okay). I remember telling them what happened when we were all together at the dinner table that night, and how my 6-year-old son looked me in the eye and said, "You told us there were no bad people around here."

Tonight, we will talk about it again, and we will remember. We are all older now, but none-the-less sad.

Speak up, and share your thoughts on this 9/11 day of remembrance.

Read more
Jessica Ashley on Healthy Living offers a thoughtful look back and a spirit-lifting invitation to meditate on all we are grateful for to mark 9/11, seven years later.
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Comments 1-10 of 1,053
  • crystal's Avatar
    Posted by crystal Thu Sep 11, 2008 8:06am PDT

    everyone is sad about what happened. but what about those people that have their birthdays on 9/11 that get forgotten or worse, made fun of for having that birthday? I say remember the troops and thank them for all that they do for us but also remember that it's supposed to be a happy day for those that have their birthday today. happy birthday to my lil brother and anyone else that turns a year older today!!!!!!!!!!!

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  • sunshinegirl's Avatar
    Posted by sunshinegirl Thu Sep 11, 2008 8:06am PDT

    Well put and I did take a moment to remember and prayed a prayer for those who were greatly affected by what happened 7 yrs ago. =) remember be thankful for your family and friends and don't take them for granted! We are blessed people living in this counrty we can't dwell on the bad things, keep a smile on your face and have a blessed day!

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  • brianne c's Avatar
    Posted by brianne c Thu Sep 11, 2008 8:10am PDT

    I can't belived it been seven years already it is so hard to forget what happen on September 11 2001. I was in seventh grade I was in homeroom when the first tower was hit I can't forget the face I made when I find out what was going on. I well alway remember

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  • user's Avatar
    Posted by user Thu Sep 11, 2008 8:19am PDT

    I had litteraly just dropped my daughter off at school and was leaving the carpool line. I was listening to Kidd Kraddick in the Morning and Kellie reported the first plane. It scared me but at that time it seemed to look like an accident. I went home and turned on the TV with my 1 year old by my side. We sat on the couch and I watched in horror as the second plane hit. I became terrified. I yelled for my boyfriend. As more news came about the pentagon and then the last one, I just waited for us to be next. I live in a big city.

    Up until that moment, I had been contemplating on how I could leave my boyfriend who was mentally abusive. But I stopped at that moment. For a while anyway. I knew we would need eachother. He had family in New York at that very moment. They had actually gone on a vacation there. They had plans to go to the towers that morning but slept in instead. They missed everything Thank God. It took us hours and hours to get a hold of them but they were fine. They were one of those people that ran around the city buying souveniers and newspapers as fast as they could.

    That night I had to go to work at a hotel and it was so empty because of course there were no flights. So we kept the TV on all night. I lost my job a few days later. I eventually left my boyfriend.

    Please say a prayer for everyone suffering still because of that day and pray that our nation chooses the best possible president in November.

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  • xo's Avatar
    Posted by xo Thu Sep 11, 2008 9:31am PDT

    I was sitting in my Genocide/Prejudice class in high school at the time.

    The day was so beautiful, the sky that deep blue color, no clouds.

    After school ended, the town was so quiet, almost like the birds were in shock too.

    Let us never forget.

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  • 's Avatar
    Posted by Thu Sep 11, 2008 9:37am PDT

    have you ever seen the movie united11 i flew in that plane i was freaked out

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  • erikaLiGHTNiNG's Avatar
    Posted by erikaLiGHTNiNG Thu Sep 11, 2008 10:13am PDT

    seven years went by so fast. its hard to believe that it still happened. this is one of the things we will never forget.

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  • __A_YAHOO_USER__'s Avatar
    Posted by __A_YAHOO_USER__ Thu Sep 11, 2008 10:15am PDT

    No one should ever Forget what happen on that HORIFFIC day. Yes, it might be hard to look back and Watch the planes hit the towers and hear the people scream as if the world was coming to an END but we as AMERICANS must never forget the thousands of people the lost their lives on this day! I was born and raised in the City so it touches me profoundly and even though i didn't know anyone personally that perished that day i feel like i knew them all! My heart goes out to the Famillies who suffered a loss of a love one 7 yrs ago Today! The World will never forget them ! For their are all GOD'S Angels...Americans unite and fly our flag proudly, not just today but everyday...

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  • Rasheeda's Avatar
    Posted by Rasheeda Thu Sep 11, 2008 11:22am PDT

    i feel so bad 4 the ppl that had lost there family inn 9/11 i give u all the honor for all the ppl that had lost there family members in 9/11

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  • Rasheeda's Avatar
    Posted by Rasheeda Thu Sep 11, 2008 11:22am PDT

    i feel so bad 4 the ppl that had lost there family inn 9/11 i give u all the honor for all the ppl that had lost there family members in 9/11

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