9/11: Twenty Years Later

Dear purple butterflies, 

Tomorrow will mark the twentieth anniversary of 9/11. I’m going to be honest with all of you. It is so incredibly hard for me to write this blog. However, I felt it needed to be written. Especially during this month because it’s both pain awareness and suicide awareness month. It’s so hard to watch the videos of the historical day. It still feels as though it were only yesterday that my alarm woke me to hear the horrible news. Like the rest of the world, I was glued to my television set for the rest of the day in disbelief. Do you remember where you were? During these past twenty years, I’ve not only met people, but my friends and family will always recall what we were doing that day. While I was student teaching, I chatted with a friend who lived through the Manhattan attacks. She went into such vivid detail, I felt as though I was there, as well. I have family who work in Manhattan and by the grace of God they were not hurt that day. I know others aren’t as lucky as I have been in that regard. My heartfelt prayers go to all the families who are affected from that treacherous day. 
 
I was supposed to work an evening shift at Disney’s MGM Studios (now Disney’s Hollywood Studios) working at Rock N’ Rollercoaster starring Aerosmith. Before 9/11, the Disney theme parks rarely closed for anything. The first person I called was my mother at her school office. She said, “I bet they close the parks.” “Mom,” I replied, “Disney doesn’t close.” Just moments later I would eat my own words. “Epcot center to close,” came flashing on the television screen. I don’t know why but I felt the need to get out of my apartment that day. Looking back, I should have just stayed home. I was in Orlando, Florida where everything was either closed or closing because of the day’s events. 
 
I have always had so much respect for the police, firemen, doctors, and hospital staff. I cannot even fathom what it must’ve been like for them that day. Visiting ground zero is among the many places I want to see in this country before I go abroad. The memorial events for 9/11 will continue just as they’ve done before 2020. If you would choose to, here are some informative articles of which I found along my quest. 

• 7 Events in New York Honoring 9/11

 

• 9/11 anniversary: Recounting the moments of terror and remembering the lives lost

 

• How a vision for the 9/11 Memorial blossomed into a piece of New York's everyday fabric

On September 11th, 2001, the United States was once again 
rocked to its core. We helped each other where the pain was needed. Whether it be physical or emotional pain, we lent our neighbor a helping hand. My other intention for this piece was to remind all of us to not give up hope. I'm already there by the band Lone Star is a heartfelt song that I adore. It’s a song dedicated to the men and women of the U.S. armed forces.
 
Please keep staying safe out there everyone! Thank you for taking the time to read my blog today! If you’re enjoying my blogs, why not subscribe to my website? My blogs will go straight to your email. It’s free to sign up! Tell your friends! Tell your friends to tell their friends!
 
Till next time!
​Rachel

Reference for photo: The Tribute in Light, organized by the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, will begin shining at sundown on Saturday. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images