We Swore We Would Never Forget 9/11......But Did We?

As we remember the 17 year anniversary of the September 11th attacks, naturally one does a lot of reflecting on the events of that day. Where was I, how did I first learn about it, etc.. In the weeks and months after, we swore that we were a changed people and that we would never forget what happened, and for the most part, we have succeeded. I believe we have done a pretty good job of remembering "what happened" but do we remember how it changed us? 

Remember how nice everybody was to each other for the next few weeks? For a brief moment in time we didn't scream at the guy that cut us off in traffic, we slowed down and valued what really mattered. Everybody seemed to have this desire to help each other even if it was just to give up a seat on the bus. It was quite beautiful actually. But what happened? Where did that go? 

Honestly, wouldn't that be the greatest way to honor the heroics and sacrifices made that day, to forever live our lives changed? Oh, yes, we remember the events, but I'm afraid we have forgotten the most important thing. We've forgotten how it changed us ever so briefly, how for a few weeks we weren't Republicans and Democrats, black or white, rich or poor. For a while we were just people and we treated each other with dignity.

I'm afraid we remember the planes and the lives lost but in the hustle and bustle of life we have forgotten ourselves.

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