September 11th. It’s a date on the calendar that, 18 years ago, changed forever. While I’ve been a super bad blogger recently (and for the past several years if I’m being honest) I always feel compelled to write down some thoughts on the anniversary of this day. As I look back through the archives on the site, and specifically posts that I’ve written on this day I quickly realize that there’s not really much left to say that I’ve not said in years past, so I won’t bother rehashing. If you’re interested you can check out previous year’s posts in the list below:
- Never Forget… Let’s Roll (2009)
- Should September 11th Be A National Holiday? (2012)
- Never Forget September 11th – Together We Roll Forward (2013)
- 13 Years Later I’ve Not Forgotten – Have You? (2014)
- 14 Years Later – I Remember (2015)
- Patriot Day 2017 – 16 Years Later I Remember (2017)
So, what’s new today. Well I ran across an image last night that really got to me.
18 Years Ago Today…
That right there really brings it all into perspective for me. I can honestly say that I think about this day often, definitely not once a year as I fear so many others do. The ways this day has changed the way we live our lives, travel and interact with one another are too numerous to count. I was at a meeting last night and I nearly broke down when talking about it. This many years later it still affects me… and I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
The one good thing for me on this day is that it marks the day my Mom quit smoking. 12 years ago today she quit. If you’ve followed me for any length of time you know my battles with nicotine so I can’t tell you how proud of her I am. She’ll never read this but way to go Mom. Love you.
Oh, one more thing… it’s PATRIOT DAY… not PatriotS Day. Patriots’ Day is the third Monday in April commemorating the first battles of the American Revolutionary War.
I’ve got lots more to say, but I’m running the risk of rambling and I’ve said most of it in those previous posts. I will reuse this particular section which I think it’s pretty powerful:
I’ve said “Never Forget” more times than I can count… and every single time I’ve really thought about what it means. But simply saying “Never Forget” isn’t enough. You have to truly do it. Really REMEMBER.
Remember where you were.
Remember what you were doing.
Remember who you were with.
Remember how you felt.
And then realize something. Whether you believe the official story of what happened that day, whether you love or hate our current administration… realize that the events of September 11th, 2001 changed your life. Forever.
