J.R.R. Tolkien The Two Towers
Today is September 11th. A date that for most of the world will live in infamy. It is a constant reminder of what human beings are capable of. Both the good and the bad. How appropriate that in looking for a quote today, I found one I felt summed up my feelings perfectly, and it comes from a book called The Two Towers. The only words I could come up with on my own to sum up and do justice to the memory of today were "thank you."
Ten years ago today, I was in bed asleep with my one year old dreaming peacefully beside me. The phone rang and my brother-in-law said "Turn on the TV. It's the end of the world." I thought he was calling to bother me, and after some convincing, I turned on the TV to see that he was essentially right. Both towers had fallen by the time I tuned in. People were being rescued and others were simply staring in disbelief. It looked like something out of a movie. Being in Miami, it was impossible to imagine how real it all was. I was in awe because I never thought for a moment that something like this was possible. There are people in the world who are cruel enough to mastermind this kind of act. Much like the shock I felt learning about the Holocaust, it is difficult to believe that one man can cause so many minds to follow his into a place of war and murder and destruction. Even more amazing is the ability of the people in thisnation to stand united and survive after something so horrific.
I say thank you to the brave men, women, and children on the planes that were used as weapons; thank you to the brave men and women who helped each other out of the buildings in time; thank you to the families of those who did not; thank you to the firefighters, police officers, and civilians who risked everything to help others; thank you for always reminding the rest of us that hope will remain no matter what is taken from us. We are the United States of America and in order to persevere we must always remember to remain just that, united.
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