This past Tuesday was drab and rainy, quite unlike the day that dawned exactly six years ago, when America was rocked by the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. That Tuesday broke bright and sunny, the kind of fall day when the cares of the world usually take a backseat to an appreciation of the beautiful weather. But the events of that day crushed any of those thoughts, replacing them with fear, anguish and the threat of an uncertain future. Terrorism became a buzzword for the danger that was suddenly a part of our lives, and we set out on a course of reaction and recovery with a final destination that was completely unsure.
And here we are, six years later, with that destination equally unclear. We are at war across the globe, passing ever-more pervasive security measures here at home and still waking up every day with that thought in the backs of our minds – when and where will the next attack come? Apart from the awful physical devastation, the events of Sept. 11, 2001 stripped away the peace of mind – real or imagined – we once had. There was never any real doubt about the existence of our enemies in the world, but it became tragically obvious as the chaos of that morning unfolded – we were under attack. Safety, real or perceived, became an altogether different notion after 9/11. And it’s one that we’re still grappling with today.
And for the families who suffered losses in the attacks, hopefully the ceremonies and vigils staged across the county this week aided in the continuing healing process, helping those who still struggle with grief find solace in the fact that people haven’t forgotten. The loss of a loved one, the loss of security, the loss of a cultural and industrial icon like the Twin Towers – those losses add up in ways both tiny and monstrous, and although we all might wish to forget about what happened on 9/11, it’s neither possible nor desirable if we really want to come to terms with what happened.
But it isn’t within the bounds of this editorial space to suggest a proper course of healing and grief – that would be beyond presumptuous, and even now, six years later, the uncertainty of the situation can be overwhelming at times. But this Tuesday, if anything, was a reminder that we should also be thankful for what we still have. In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, in the frantic phone calls to relatives and desperate searching for the people we love, there is the reminder that all was not lost on that day. This week was a time to turn to loved ones with renewed appreciation and remember that although the healing from 9/11 may never be complete, the tragedy can remind us, again, of what we do have. And even in the face of an uncertain future, our strength will continue to persevere. We should never forget the tragedy of that fall day. But we must also remember the strength that has helped us begin to heal.