I wrote a long essay about the lessons I've learnt from 12 years of 9/11 remembrance and the impact it had on my life. But, I didn't publish it because today is not about me.
It's not about politics or the impact that it had on different countries, groups of people or the economy. It's not about the historical importance, the terrorist intent, reasoning or any of those other jigsaw pieces that made up the entire event.
It's about the people who lost their lives on, or as a result of, that day. It's about the families that came home to a lone message on their answering machine, the last one that they'd ever receive from their loved one, or, worse, the ones who came home to nothing and heard nothing, it's about the families all over the world that have seen losses because of the wars that occurred because of this day, it's about the pain and anguish caused and the power of individuals to pull themselves back up and keep going.
Love and compassion mean so much more than hatred and destruction. So, today, I am going to quietly remember and focus on the great acts of love and kindness that were byproducts of that event (the individuals who have demonstrated their love through great acts of kindness) rather than the hate that brought the event about. And, I am going to ensure that I take great care to really appreciate my loved ones today.
