Remembering 9/11

Imagine a young girl, only eight years old. Imagine seeing the world through her eyes. Full of promise, and possibilities, and dreams that could only come true. Imagine this little girl sitting home alone one morning, lying on her mother's bed watching cartoons. The phone rings. She answers to hear her mother's voice on the other end. "Turn on the news." the voice says. The innocent child complies.
Images of death and destruction, of devastation, of two planes flying into two towers and killing so many people flash before her eyes. And she sits silently watching. Now imagine all the thoughts going through her head. The sadness, the worry for her aunt and her cousin living in New York, and the sheer confusion at how human beings could do this to each other. This little girl didn't understand.
Imagine this same little girl ten years later, not quite grown up but more mature and more aware of the world around her. Living on her own for the first time, remembering that day lying on her mother's bed. That little girl is me, and I have grown so much in the ten short years since September 11th 2001. I have lived and learned and love my family and my friends. I have tried things and lost things and discovered things. And I sit here today thankful for the life I have lead this far, and thankful for the people in it. Most of all thankful that I did not lose anyone dear to me on that fateful day, but sympathetic for those who did. I understand now how the world can be such a brutal place, how death and destruction happen every day. How prejudice and racism are disgustingly apparent in day to day life, even now. Yet, I also understand that for each life lost that day there is an overwhelming amount of love. For each act of brutality there is one of kindness. For each tear shed there is a smile spread, and the world can be a beautiful place if you let it. The beauty and kindness may not be as well documented, or broadcasted on the media, but that does not mean it isn't there. I know where I was ten years ago today, I know exactly what I was doing and how I felt, and I'm sure everyone else in the world can say the same. But do we appreciate each day like we remember that one? Make the most of the life you are lucky enough to be living. Focus on the positive. Live for those who no longer do. Love enough for all. And share your happiness.