I slept in late. I was working the swing shift at the time and had gotten in the habit of going to bed late and waking up really late. I had an appointment so I didn't bother turning on the television when I woke up. No one was home. The house was quiet. I had just turned 19 a few days before.
I dressed and left the house. I turned on the radio, but there was no music to be heard. They kept talking about something (Something has happened! Horrible! Tragic! Something!), but I didn't know what. I was curious, but, I admit, detached.
It was the same at the doctor's office. The atmosphere was subdued. The radio was on. I still had no idea.
I didn't find out until I returned home. My dad had come home early; he had every television in the house turned on and tuned to the news. And what they said was true. It was horrible. It was tragic. And it was so many other things.
It's September 11th. People all over the world are talking about it. Some of them are even blogging about it. I had no plans to do the same, but last night I came home to find my mother watching 9/11 footage on YouTube and the impact of what had happened was just as strong as it was nine years ago.
It got me thinking. All day I've been thinking about how much life has changed since. My problems are trivial in comparison to the horror that so many people experience that day. But, despite tragedy, life continues. The good and the bad. We struggle, we fight, we complain, we get frustrated, stressed out, and want to throw our hands up and scream "I quit!"
And that's okay.
But sometimes it's important to take a step back, take a deep breath, and have a little perspective.
And hug. Hug often.
I know exactly what you mean. I was thinking it felt so far removed at this point until I started looking at some pictures yesterday and talking about it. Then it felt so close, as if it only happened last year. It definitely gave me some perspective!
ReplyDeleteHug often, yes.
ReplyDeleteAgreed...it is all about perspective. I caught some footage of the actual newscasts on Saturday morning and it transported me right back to the conference room at work....to the moment I stood watching that second plane flying towards the South tower and thinking "what is that plane doing?". That sick feeling I felt in my stomach when I realized what was happening is still as fresh as it was at that instant.
ReplyDeleteNo truer words said. I feel this way so often. Just want to give up cause I really hate my life sometimes and how it has changed me into a person I don't want to be! Yet, with all that has happened in my life I am a better person for it. Achieved so many goals and dreams. My life is really freakin' crazy I suppose! Then 9/11 airs and I am watching all of it on TV Saturday night and remembering how scary that day and so many after were. Perspective for sure.
ReplyDelete10-4 and out the door. Perspective is everything.It's like if you're diagnosed with cancer, all the sudden your allergies don't seem so bad.
ReplyDelete