The 9/11 memorial is beautiful.

The architect did an amazing job at honoring those that lost their lives while also creating breathtaking artwork. When you walk through the memorial you are overcome by the memory of the day. I couldn't help, but feel the pain for the families that passed, the gratitude for the heros that saved, and feel a sense of loss for what remains from the day.

Where were you when it happened?

I was in school. I had won a prize and was allowed to sit in the coveted classroom tub for the day. Yes, we had a white tub filled with pillows in our fourth grade class that was used as a desk. The tub was extremely comfortable and to be allowed to sit there all day was every student’s goal.

The day it happened I was in my fourth grade class.

My memories of that day are clear and come in phases.

On September 9th 2011,

as I was packing up the rest of my belongings, I remember the TV behind me, I remember the second plane crashing, I remember the look on my teacher’s face, then I remember being home.

Once home, I remember hearing the panic in my mom’s voice. She was overseas visiting our families and the impression she had was that the whole country was being attacked. Little did we know then that we were under a nationwide attack.

No day shall erase the memory of time. Vigil

An overwhelming feeling of gratitude for the survivors stays with you.

I realized the new generation won't have an emotional connection to this day like those that lived through it. I felt a sense of disconnect and still feel guilt for not also remembering the day, for not honoring the day, for not helping some way the lives lost or left behind during the previous wars and disasters.

We may teach it in schools. We may read books on the topic. Watch movies that reenact the event. But many hold the raw memory of the day and we cannot allow that memory to be lost in time.

As my friend Lena says, What’s sad is when the last of a generation finally die -like WWII soldiers and survivors (from both side). Then all we have left are stories and interviews, which are pretty impersonal.

I find myself agreeing with my friend Lena, do you?

Thank you @aleister for the graphic.