Whenever December 7th rolls around, I remember that it is Pearl Harbor Day. I stop for a second and send a prayer to the valor and bravery that was exhibited, and I also pray for those who lost so much on that terrible day.
I do this because it's part of being an American, not because it's part of my personal history. It happened before I was born. But, I know lots of people who can recall that terrible day as though it was yesterday. For them, this unexpected attack is seared into their brains and they cannot, nor would they ever wish to forget. It's part of what has forged their identity...it's part of what makes them an American. It's part of the package of grit, determination, an unwillingness to give up their way of life or the demands that living free often requires. It is how they define the spine and courage of being an American. Time passes and the rawness covers over. Life moves on and horror becomes history
Whenever September 11th rolls around, I remember that it is the day that America was attack by Muslim Terrorists. I remember exactly where I was, what I was doing, and the effort required to try and wrap my head around all that I was hearing. The effort that was needed to not run around in fear. The silence of the skies devoid of all planes for several days. I stop now, and send a prayer to the valor and bravery that was exhibited, and I also pray for those who lost so much on that terrible day.
I do this because it's part of being an American, and sadly because it is a major moment in my history. I know lots of people who can recall that terrible day as though it was yesterday. And, for many it is as if that terrible day was just yesterday. For many life stopped on that day. For them, this unexpected attack is seared into their brains and they cannot, nor would they ever wish to forget. It is part of what has forged their identity...it's part of what makes them an American. It's part of the package of grit, determination, an unwillingness to give up their way of life or the demands that living free often requires. It is how they define the spine and courage of being an American. Times passes and the rawness covers over. Life moves on and the horror becomes history.
Now, 12 years later, the day makes me sad but proud. The horror of it, while still there if I concentrate is dimmed. Mostly, what I can still feel is the shock of the day and why anything like it would ever happen. Still, I can wonder how people can hate enough to do something so terrible.
And, 12 years later, I also realize that there are now hundreds of children who have no emotional tie to this day, just as I have no actual tie to the December 7th date. For them, the attacks of 9/11 may or may not be something they discuss in their history classes. It may be something they ask their parents about to gain a bit of perspective. For most, though, it will simply be something that seems sad or confusing. It will be part of the background of history for them, not an active part in how they define themselves as Americans.
Little ones like our Ava, who just turned two, won't know a thing first-hand about this awful time. I hope we find a way of making it part of who she is as a proud American. I hope her family finds a way to take a few moments on days like this one to discuss it; to have a few moments of silence and a prayer for all who have witnessed these events.
And, today on this 9/11 anniversary, I'll pray that sweet children like our Livy, will wonder about such cruelty, but hopefully will never know it directly as part of their personal history.
Some might think I'm wrong about this; they'll say we should remember every single day about these horrors so that we remain vigilant. That is also a way to view the world. But, I think I'd rather we teach our children about the love that was witnessed after those terrible acts, rather than the hatred that caused the execution of them. I'd rather we glory in the non-stop work that was done to care for each other and set things right again. I believe that it is this positive energy that defines us as Human Beings and Americans and that is what I want our children to learn.
December 7th and September 11th will not be days our young children concentrate on very often. And speaking as a Human Being who has one of those days branded into the fiber of her being, I'm all right with that.
Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka She Who Witnessed 9/11
