Most beautiful and honest thing I've read about this day. Thank you.

1 | Left by Andrea Bush | Sep. 11, 2011 at 10:30am

As a fellow New Yorker, I thank you for putting so many of the thoughts and feelings I have about 9/11 into words better than I ever could've. Just...thank you. Thank you for making me feel like I'm not alone. I sometimes almost feel bad in a way that it still has such a strong affect on me, as I didn't personally lose someone. But all of us New Yorkers, and Americans, lost plenty that day. I'm the same age as you, and I feel as though we also lost some of our innocence that day. I'll never forget running home ducking all the flying paper and debris.

I'll never forget the images of people jumping to their deaths to avoid being engulfed by the flames. I'll never forget the people that gave their lives to protect us, and continue to do so every day. I now go to school a few blocks from where the towers used to stand, and every single day I'm reminded to look around and appreciate what's around us because there's no guarantee it'll be there tomorrow. Same goes for the people around me.

Thank you for putting my thoughts into words. Sending love and healing thoughts your way.

2 | Left by K | Sep. 11, 2011 at 11:09am

I was only in Kindergarten when the twin towers were hit. I lived in Maine at the time, and even though I, and so many others, were far away from the direct effects of the planes, I still dread 9/11 every year. Being 15 now, I understand why and how it happened. I understand 2,977 people lost their lives, and I understand people struggle with it every day. I don't directly know anybody who died in the tragedy, but I do know people who know people.

As an American, I spend most of this day depressed. No one should have died on that Tuesday morning. I hope those who lost can gain some, even if a little, closure today. We will never forget.

3 | Left by Sarah | Sep. 11, 2011 at 11:19am

I had and have the same experience as Sarah. I was in Kindergarten, and even though I was really young when it happened I still remember. It feels almost like a part of my childhood. Even though I personally didn't lose anyone, this day still hits me hard. I know more about it now. This day belongs to the memory of the innocents lost. It's such a poignant day as an American. NYC is one of my favorite places in the world. So, though I'm not a New Yorker, I feel a sense of pride for that city, it's strength. I can't imagine. We will never forget.

4 | Left by Amy | Sep. 11, 2011 at 12:58pm

10 years ago I was 18 years old and had just returned to the country where i was born and raised, after living in america for a year.

10 years ago I was told by someone I didn't know what it felt like, because I was not American.

And yes, I may not be American, even though it does feel like a second home to me. But that doesn't mean I don't understand. I spend 8 hours that day not knowing where someone that means the world to me was. I spend 8 hours not knowing if that person was alive or not. 8 hours until I finally heard he was safe.

I spend 10 years telling myself that what I felt wasn't important. That this hurt wasn't real. 10 years I did not speak of what it felt like.

So this weekend, today, I gave myself permission to be hurt. For what I've gone through that day, and for all the people that lost their life or someone they love. And for all the other people around the world that were affected by this.

I will never forget what happened that day. It changed the entire world.

5 | Left by Anon | Sep. 11, 2011 at 4:01pm

I was in 2nd Grade when the towers were hit. I live in New Jersey, an hour away from the city, and we lost many members of our community that day. My most vivid memory is my parents taking me up onto our roof. We live on the coast and from my roof you can see the NYC skyline across the water. You could see the smoke from the towers. This horrible gray cloud where something amazing used to be. I didn't cry, I don't think I knew what to feel. I remember this numbing combination of fear, confusion, and sadness. A month later, I was cleaning out my room when I saw an old snowglobe on my shelf. I had gotten it in the city when I was in kindergarten. Right in the middle of the snowglobe, was the World Trade Center. That was the first time I cried about 9/11.

Thank you so much for this piece, it's helped me realize some of the feelings I felt that day. We will never forget the innocent people who died that day and the heroes who saved so many.

6 | Left by Katie | Sep. 11, 2011 at 4:10pm

I was 6 in 2001, and I live in illinois. In 2001 I had no perception of how the nation and the world was affected by something that happened so far away from where I was. But now that I am older and know what has happened, and how it has affected people I never take my freedom for granted. It is an amazing thing to have the whole country stand together, united unlike so much of the time, even if it is just for one day. This day is a reminder of something horrid, but it has brougt out some of the best in people. It reminds us that we are all just people who need each other every once in a while.

7 | Left by Hannah | Sep. 11, 2011 at 9:09pm

Although I agree with every word you've said, I feel the need to put this out there. I realize the even of 9/11 was horrible and scarring. It's terrible that thousands of people died that day and it's horrible that even more people lost someone they love. But I think that it also needs to be recognized that since that day, for the past 10 years, MILLIONS of people living in the Middle East have lost their lives because of that one horrible day. Innocent people that just so happened to be from Afghanistan or Iraq were killed just because of their religion or background. Take a moment to remember them too, alongside the Americans, that's all I ask. I'm also a New Yorker, and that day has emotionally scarred me in many ways, but I also realize that it's not just innocent Americans who have suffered. An American-Muslim woman has gotten her head scarf ripped off in public. Men and children have been beaten by 'white' folks. It's horrible.

8 | Left by Kailtyn | Sep. 12, 2011 at 4:43pm

I was also in Kindergarten when the 9/11 attacks took place. I live in Maryland but all of my large family is from New York. It is a place that is very near and dear to my heart. The anniversary of 9/11 kills me inside. I feel horrible for everybody that died on that day and for the family and friends of people who lost their lives. I didn't personally lose anyone that I knew but my mom knew a few of the firefighters that lost their lives. I am so sorry to anyone that lost somebody on that tragic day. This anniversary was very hard for me this year. As many tears that I have shed these last few days, they have helped me try to get a different perspective of life. I don't want to continue to have such a negative attitude about life because their are so many people that lost their lives that day that didn't want too. We should appreciate what we have because we never know when it'll all disappear.
We will never ever forget 9/11.
Love to all.

9 | Left by Chelsea | Sep. 12, 2011 at 5:36pm

I was in first grade when 9/11 happened. I live in the Bronx, NY. My father is a NYPD officer, as well as my uncle and my dad's best friends who are unbiological uncles but are so close to them.

My dad didn't come home for three days. He walked through the door covered head to toe in pure white dust. he still had his hat on. All i could see was his pupils and the streaks from tears down his eyes. He's never been the same father after that day. Everybody thought he was dead, he lost his phone and nobody saw him because he was in the buildings getting people out. I lost my Uncle and my dad's best friends. I'm so tired of crying. My heart hurts and I just miss my old dad and my family. The brave souls who are looking down at us in heaven, we're just a few sleeps away. To Ray and Tommy, send my dad a rainbow just so he knows your listening to his prayers.

I'm sixteen now, and i remember every single thing that happened that entire day to me. I wish I didn't. It haunts me.

10 | Left by Bronx | Sep. 12, 2011 at 6:54pm

I was 14 when America was attacked. I know some people don't like seeing it that way, but it's how I feel. I was home schooled at the time and living in Florida. My grandmother called from New York, where the majority of my extended family lived. I remember thinking that if it was a joke, how mean some people were. I realized after we turned the tv on and watched that it wasn't a joke, or a trick or something that could possibly happen. It was happening. I'll never forget when that plane hit the South Tower... I remember watching it fly then bank directly into it. I couldn't breathe. I sat and watched the entire thing. I had no idea about half of the things I know now before that day. Places on the map that used to be just places on a map suddenly became very alive and had a face and people I didn't know about. I'd never felt so....under informed, I guess? Not quite sure how to phrase it. I wanted to know everything I could about them, and why what happened happened. Every year I watch the Reading of The Names Ceremony, and for some reason, this year hurt more than any other. I didn't lose anyone that day. My cousin was 15 minutes late for work. My uncle got a call from my grandfather that day, asking for a ride to the doctor. I've had aunts and uncles that worked there. I'm a New Yorker as well, and I thank you for typing out what I didn't realize I was keeping locked down. This is the first time I've ever spoken about any of this. Sorry for my rambling, but I needed to get it out. Praying for everyone that's struggling with what's going on, and what continues to go on. Bronx, sending hugs and love your way.

11 | Left by Ellie | Sep. 13, 2011 at 10:05am

I was extremely moved by your words, and I wanted to let you know that people like you are an inspiration to me. I can not really tell you that I know how you are feeling. I am not a New Yorker, and I was living in Colombia on 9/11. At the time I was seven years old and I remember that my mom picked my sister and I from school as usual, but she was really upset. She had heard the news, and just like everybody else in the world, she was in shock for what had happened. Well, she still is, she told me this week that she understands that there is evil in the world, but the fact that the towers fell seems like a really bad nightmare to her, and she still hasn't been able to quite understand that they are gone. But in 09/11/01 she was a bit more than upset, she was scared. My father was living in the USA at the time, and she hadn't heard anything from him, but I was too young then to make the connection.
I don't remember much about that part of my life, my memory is not the best, but I do remember that on that day, as soon as I got home i turned on the TV and called my best friend, and I asked her, "Who did this?, Why?"... Well 10 years afterwards we know who, and in part we know the why, but not really. As you said, not a million words are ever going to be able to justify it.
I was not born in USA, but I do owe a lot to that country, and I thank every day because I had the opportunity to spend some time there and learn to love it. Now that I think about it, 9/11 is actually the reason why 8 years afterwards my family had to return to Colombia.
I guess I am just trying to say something that you already know: You are not alone, none of you are, and you pain has crossed all boundaries imaginable.
Take care, and practice what you requested from us... Smile!!
Life is scary, and sometimes it may seem like very horrible, but it is a gift!! Enjoy it!!!!!

12 | Left by Alejandra Rojo | Sep. 17, 2011 at 8:06pm

I was extremely moved by your words, and I wanted to let you know that people like you are an inspiration to me. I can not really tell you that I know how you are feeling. I am not a New Yorker, and I was living in Colombia on 9/11. At the time I was seven years old and I remember that my mom picked my sister and I from school as usual, but she was really upset. She had heard the news, and just like everybody else in the world, she was in shock for what had happened. Well, she still is, she told me this week that she understands that there is evil in the world, but the fact that the towers fell seems like a really bad nightmare to her, and she still hasn't been able to quite understand that they are gone. But in 09/11/01 she was a bit more than upset, she was scared. My father was living in the USA at the time, and she hadn't heard anything from him, but I was too young then to make the connection.
I don't remember much about that part of my life, my memory is not the best, but I do remember that on that day, as soon as I got home i turned on the TV and called my best friend, and I asked her, "Who did this?, Why?"... Well 10 years afterwards we know who, and in part we know the why, but not really. As you said, not a million words are ever going to be able to justify it.
I was not born in USA, but I do owe a lot to that country, and I thank every day because I had the opportunity to spend some time there and learn to love it. Now that I think about it, 9/11 is actually the reason why 8 years afterwards my family had to return to Colombia.
I guess I am just trying to say something that you already know: You are not alone, none of you are, and you pain has crossed all boundaries imaginable.
Take care, and practice what you requested from us... Smile!!
Life is scary, and sometimes it may seem like very horrible, but it is a gift!! Enjoy it!!!!!

13 | Left by Alejandra Rojo | Sep. 17, 2011 at 8:07pm

I was so young when it happened. preschool i beilieve. though im not an american, and today live in canada, i lived there at the time. i was so little but i remember it well. Reassuring my mom that i was safe. the look on her face... she was so frightened. i tried to see the tv, but my mom wouldnt let me. she cried. i didnt lose anyone personally, nor knew anyone who lost. but i felt the pain and fear saturate the atmosphere; even if i didnt consiously recognize it. when i was older, watching the specials and learning about it, i cried. i cried for the lives gone and the people greiving. i cried for the after too. the rage that rippeled across the world. the war. more lives lost. the grieving, more grieving. the hurt. the strength. the love. the healing, as slow as it was and still is. God still resonates strongly within. we will always remember. and i will certainly never forget. enjoy life as it is a gift. a very presious one.
love, Taryn.

14 | Left by Taryn | Sep. 17, 2011 at 9:16pm