It was 8:46 am, EST when American Airlines flight 11 hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York. An event that was the start of multiple tragedies that day. American Airlines flight 175 slammed into the South Tower approximately 16 minutes later. Another airliner from American Airlines, flight 77, crashes into the West end of the Pentagon. And finally, a United Airlines jet, flight 93 crashed in a remote area of Pennsylvania, called Summerset County, killing all on board. Over 2,977 victims lost their lives that day and countless others were effected in incalculable ways.
I was 35 years old at the time and had seen my fair share of tragedy but nothing on this scale. While I was watching the live broadcast with my wife that morning and throughout the day, I can remember us asking why is this happening and who did this?
As I reflect on this horrible day, 19 years ago I can't help but think of the war that is still being waged in Afganistan and the countless lives of men and women from many of the different countries involved. I have a deep sadness in me that is unexplainable. All I can do is bring attention to the sadness and let it know that I recognize it.
There are many times I think I should know what to do or how to act. That I should just rush to judgment and act immediately to protect myself and those I love. Then I think back to 9/11 and I pause. I remember how shocked I was, how angry I was, and finally how unsure of everything I was.
As our country and others around the world are facing the old energies of our past and trying to deal with where we all want to go, I still hold to the truth that as long as we continue to fight and maintain hatred, we are bound by our past and doomed to continue to repeat it.
It is true, there are no easy answers and if the past is any indicator of the future, there are no sure or definite ways to end despicable events. My only hope is that we as a society can learn to create new ways of supporting each other with meaningful long term positive effects.
