I lived on the West Coast and woke up to the radio announcer talking so somberly about some major thing happening in NYC. I immediately got up and turned on the TV. I was shocked and horrified to see a burning hole in one of the World Trade towers. I was glued to the TV and couldn't believe what was happening. I watched on live TV as the first tower fell, the second plane hit and eventually the collapse of the second tower. I was glued to the news all day and watched in horror as people jumped from windows. But I also observed people emerging from the ash and first responders rushing to help. It was terrifying as new details came in about other planes being highjacked. I thought when is this going to stop? What else is going to happen? Will there be attacks on the West Coast? I celebrated every time someone was rescued and mourned the losses of yet another first responder lost in the rescue attempts. I had the news on constantly in the days and weeks after the attacks, just hoping to learn who had done this and how they were able to carry it out. I felt such a sense of loss but also profound pride in how our nation came together during that time. It was truly remarkable. Tragedy has a way of bringing people together despite their differences.

I remember the first time I flew after 9/11. The airport felt heavy. People were more on edge, suspicious, nervous. I was annoyed with all the new security procedures but knew it was necessary to prevent something like that from ever happening again. As I think back, there are so many things that are normal now that came as a result of that day. Kids now don't know the anticipation and joy of watching planes come and go as they wait at the gate for a loved one to arrive. Or being able to go through security with a fresh cup of coffee you grabbed on the way to the airport.