We Remember

Today is that really hard day for a lot of different people and a lot of different reasons.

You’ll never forget where you were or what you were feeling on September 11, 2001. I was in grade school having a water break when teachers from every classroom were peaking their head out of their doors and gossiping among each other, low enough so that the kids didn’t hear. We were really young so it wasn’t fully explained to us the extent to what had happened, all we knew was that it was bad and we had to go back to our classroom and we would be leaving school early. I remember my grandma picking my sister and me up from school that day. And I knew something was off because usually we would sit in after care until one of our parents got off work to come and get us.

What I remember more significantly than the day itself, is the day I was in NYC and saw the memorial. It was quite literally a breathtaking experience. We must’ve sat there in silence for at least twenty minutes. If you’ve never been, I suggest you go. I could try to explain it as best as I can but it would not even come close to doing it justice.

George W. Bush said, “We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember…”

And we will.

Hurricane Irma hit last night/early morning. Another event that many people near and dear to my heart will never forget. I consider Florida my second home since I lived in Orlando from 2015-2016 and I just moved back home in July after living there again for a brief period of time over the summer. I vacationed in Sarasota in August and shortly after that my parents started serious talk of looking for houses there, so it is all still fresh in my mind.

Orlando wasn’t supposed to be hit as hard as other areas, and then the storm shifted and Orlando was in the eye of the storm. I couldn’t sleep or focus at work because I just wanted to see which of my friends “Marked Safe during Hurricane Irma”.

I’ll never forget reading Facebook statuses from my friends in the middle of the storm just as I’m sure they will never forget the way they felt when they were writing them.
“We are on the first floor, our carpet is soaking wet, and the wind and the rain keeps trying to push our door open scaring the hell out of all of us”

“The water level has risen above the fire hydrants but we are still okay”

"A tree fell on my neighbors house, we lost some shingles from our roof, but we are fine"

Not only was my mind on Florida, but also Georgia where the other half of my family lives and also in the path of Irma. Maybe the storm will eventually pass, but the heartache of loss, the memories of fear, the feelings of joy watching people come together and help, will last a lifetime.

A day of remembrance for those who lost their lives and those who gave their lives. We remember.

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