On 9/11

To those who haven't forgotten because they can't remember:

It's difficult for me to comprehend that there is an entire generation that either wasn't born or is too young to remember the events of September 11, 2001. Like so many, my memories of that day are associated with a classroom. My classmates and I were shaken and confused, but we carried on. It was not until the days, weeks, and months that followed that we truly understood the impact and lasting effects. 

I won't question what you do and do not remember, or the influence that it has made on your life because I will never understand. I remember a definitive before. Like what the Kennedy assassination is to our parents' generation, this a defining moment in the lives of so many. A before and an after. Every generation has them, but I think the moments that happen when you are young stay with you the strongest. I don't believe that 9/11 is the defining moment of our generation, just one of many that have created the fabric of our country and added pages to our history books. However, it seems that it has been used to frame every defining moment since.  

It is my hope that in the future these inevitable defining moments will not be associated disasters, but rather with hope. That it won't take extreme upheaval and tragedy to bring people together. It is my hope that for generations to come, the good in the world will outweigh the evil and their defining moments will reflect that. It is my hope that someday, hope and peace will be the norm. And we all have the ability to come together and create that for ourselves, and for the generations to come. It all matters. 

Don't just say, "never forget." Say "never again." And vow to make this world a better place. Don't give in to hate and apathy, but to love and acceptance. So we'll carry on, together, from this day forward and incite change for the better. Carry on with hope.