I have never written about my
experience on September 11th.
I’m afraid that if I write about it, I won’t do any of it justice, and
my experience will be downgraded into a Lifetime
Movie of the Week. Quite simply - that day just gutted me.
This is not about a recounting of
that day – although every year, Cliff and I do this together. This
ritual makes us feel better even though we know where the story goes and how it
ends. This history that we share gives
us yet another layer of connection with each other.
Here’s my thought - I feel as
though we don’t have a national ritual that honors this day in a unique and
respectful way. I know that there are
the ceremonies at the sights, and I respect and completely agree that they
should remain solely for those people who lost their loves. Sure, we post pictures on Facebook,and there
are television shows dedicated the timeline of that morning - but what do we
actually do on September 11th to give it the respect it
deserves.
I fear that if we had the day off,
it would become a “Holiday”.
In the way that Memorial Day has very little to do with actually
memorializing those who lost their lives protecting our country. Sure, there are parades, and for those
families who lost a loved one in war, the day takes on a deep and somber
meaning. But come on – we all know
Memorial Day as the kick off of the summer season. Most of us have lost the meaning of Memorial
Day. I know I have.
So this is what I think we should
do – September 11th should be a national day of service and beauty. We should
use this day to clean up beaches, plant trees, volunteer at a women’s shelter
or ASPCA –whatever it is that you want to help and to give.
We should take that day and create beauty on such an ugly day.
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