In rememberance

It's been forever and a day since I wrote anything. After all the events of this past weekend, I can't help but comment.

It started late night on Saturday (technically Sunday), with watching a program entitled "I Survived". Normally, this show is very inspiring because it's about people who were in perilous situations and miraculously escaped/survived/were revived. However, this one had a bit of a twist. This episode featured several stories from survivors of 9/11. It included those who were trapt under crumbling buildings and rubble. As much as one could be thankful they survived, you were still left wondering about countless others. At the ending of this episode, current day updates were given on these survivors, none of which were "happy endings".

I ended up going to bed after this show and awoke with new aspirations of watching a full day of football, while reflecting on these past events only in my thoughts and mind.

Gameday kicked off with the Steelers vs Ravens coverage, and an awe-inspiring rendition of Taps being played by Marines stationed at every stadium that day, soon followed by the National Anthem. If this did not give you chills all over your body, you may want to go see a doctor. I imagine the adrenaline rush for these players was large enough, than any of them could have ran through brick walls without feeling a thing.

The Steelers were soon getting blown out and my attention immediately went back to the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. After speaking with many others about how they couldn't watch the numerous specials, because of its' depressing nature, I made a point to immerse myself in the programming.

The recorded audio of first responders, eye-witness videos, and personal stories, all shook me to the core. Ten years later it's still impossible to believe all this happened. Even when viewing actual footage of not only the WTC being hit by two planes, but the crumbling of the buildings seemed unreal. I felt like I was watching a "Horror film", wishing it was all untrue. As all (or many) of us were alive and in the Northeastern US for this event, you remember every detail of where you were, who you huddled around the TV with, and all those you reached out to hoping they were not in NYC, DC or PA that day.

The horrifying events those people experienced in watching burning buildings, bodies falling from the sky, and being swept away in storms of smoke, are nightmares that may never end.

My main question through all of this was singular: After being considered "lucky" and surviving this event, how does one go one living a normal life? Many of the workers that day, first responders, firemen, policemen, and stock traders alike, had to move away from the city. That the lingering effects of that day were played out every moment they awoke in the city that never sleeps.

For those who had loved ones who passed away that day, it must be even more mortifying to watch these programs. Which led to my last thought of the day. As someone who had no real ties to that day, other than being a proud American, I can't stomach this day again.

I feel between the one year and ten year anniversary of this event, proper decorum has been followed. It should never be advertised or documented on TV again after yesterday. Yes, we will never forget and eternally be grateful to those affected by the events that transpired that day. However, the tragedy still lingers 10 years later, and I don't know if it will ever get any easier. The fact so many others could not bare to watch any of the documentaries should say enough. This is a day we will always remember, but soon wish we forgot.

Thank you to all out there who continually make this world a better place to live.