I don’t want to remember September 11. It was a horrible, terrible, no-good day. What I want to do is honor the incredible spirit of unity and support that occurred the days and weeks following 9/11. That is what I want to keep alive.
As I watched the news broadcast from the new memorial in NYC and I heard the stories of selfless giving, I wondered, does everyone else feel as moved as I do? Does anyone else think the outpouring of support should continue? Is anyone thinking about this except me?
For nine years, our little city in Upstate New York hosted a parade to honor 9/11. The first few years, the streets were lined with people and traffic was re-routed. But after a few years, the crowd decreased and our little city opened up lanes along the parade route to facilitate traffic. For me, the parade served as a reminder to stay focused on building community, help one another, do the right thing and give. This year, on the 10th anniversary, I fear there will be no parade at all.
The day the mighty structures crashed and burned, the sky was the bluest of blues and without a single cloud. The weather was warm. I was four months pregnant and wondered what kind of world I was bringing my child into. Ten years later, I tell my children I love them every day. I teach them and try to show them that life is richest when you help others.
I hope that each of you reading this will take a minute to think about how you can make your life the best life possible and remember that wonderful, amazing things can happen when we work together.
(This is the first time I’ve written 2 posts in one day. I felt the need to share some of my thoughts and emotions about 9/11. I would love it if you would share some of yours!)
Image by Robert Deutsch, USA Today
Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies. She founded CareerSherpa.net to educate professionals on how to maneuver through today’s job search process. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a regular contributor to US News & World Report. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications. She is also author of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Business Success.