9/11

Yesterday, I spoke with my EFL student about September 11^th. What struck me most as we spoke is that she could remember in great detail where she was and what she was doing as the planes hit the twin towers. She expressed with tear filled eyes that this attack was not only a tragedy for the U.S. but the whole world as well. She was visibly angry at the terrorists for their disregard of innocent lives. Until that moment, I had always thought of September 11^th as a very American event. I knew that countries around the world shared our suffering and offered support but I never understood the impact it had on individual lives. I am awestruck and humbled that two people from opposite sides of the world shared in this sadness. At that moment, it became very clear, while the terrorists were seeking to destroy; the true outcome of the attack was to build relationships. It built relationships between Americans and between America and the rest of the world. It continues to build those relationships every time we remember the experience and share it with others.