Ten Years Ago

I will never forget that day 10 years ago, sitting in 10th grade American History class and the phone rang. Our teacher was told to turn on the TV. What we saw was the wreckage on the first of the World Trade Center Towers after a plane ran into it. We soon saw the second plane hit. The next class was spent watching the TV as well, where we watched both towers fall, something I don't think anybody was expecting. It was a surreal day, and even more surreal from a small Minnesota town feeling so far away from the tragedy.

I must admit, that often now when I think about September 11, I recall the fear and racism that has grown toward Islam and Muslims since this day, and the brutal wars that have been carried out using this day as a justification. Frustration that this is what has emerged since 9/11, often make me forget the sheer tragedy of the events and the lives that were lost and changed.

Watching yesterday on TV a special recalling the events of that day, I was reminded by the tragedy of 9/11. It was something that nobody expected would happen. So many people were killed for no reason. I was struck by the sadness of it all. 10 years later, I hope that the US and the world, remembers what happened and learns from the tragedy. As respect for all those who lost their lives, I pray we learn how to plant the seeds of peace and understanding, instead of fear and hatred.