Remembering

Because I suppose it is what we SHOULD do. But maybe I'm not remembering for the same reasons you are. Maybe I am.

I'm not necessarily remembering the firefighters and policemen who lost their lives 8 years ago. Don't get me wrong. They DESERVE to be remembered - and honored. The passengers aboard Flight 93 should be remembered and honored as well. The victims, both in the towers and aboard all three planes, should be remembered and honored.

And I doubt any of us will ever forget what we were doing when we learned of that first plane...and for many of us, when we SAW the second one.

What I'm remembering is what life was like before - and what it was like immediately afterwards. Do you remember the first airplane you saw in the sky after that day? How did that feel? Did your stomach sink?

I want us never to forget the anger and the indignation we felt after the attack. I want us not to forget our heightened senses and alertness. I want us not to forget how offended we were that these people had the audacity to attack us...and on our OWN soil!

I think we are forgetting. It seems we are slipping back to our old ways. In some respects, it is comforting, but in many, it is scary.

I have no doubt there will be more attacks. Are we prepared? Or are we, as a nation, gullible enough to believe it was a one-time thing? As I said, I believe it will happen again, and I believe it will be sooner than later.

With that in mind, I am remembering my anger. I am also remembering my fear. It sucks - I won't lie. But, for me, it is necessary.