Things I Can't Say

Tips and Tales from an Introverted Mom

Pour Your Heart Out: Remembering

We were reading about the Boston Tea Party that morning. Just pushing through the background material with my second block of eighth graders, so that we’d be able to do something fun with it later in the week.

There were about 10 minutes left until my students left and I had my free period.

My dearest friend knocked on my door and asked me to come out into the hall.

It was her free period, but she usually never came to my room during that time because she knew that wasn’t my free period.

And she knew what my second block of students was like…actually, she’s not the type to ever suggest a teacher leave her students no matter what.

I went out into the hall and listened as she explained what we knew of the attacks so far.

It didn’t sound like something real.

I went back into my classroom in a daze and sat back down at the front of the room, knowing the world had become a very different place.

One of my students asked if I was okay and I gave a quick smile and asked where we had left off.

Another of my students, one who rarely ever talked, even when asked a question, called out “We love you, Ms. K!”

In the moment, I sat there thinking how innocent my students were and how even though they thought they were big, bad eighth graders who should be treated like they were adults, they were really still so young.

And they were going to grow up in a different world than I did.

It’s now been 12 years since that day.

9/11

And my own boys are growing up in a different world.

They don’t know a pre-9/11 world.

They’ll barely even remember a world before Newtown.

It’s easy to sink into despair and hopelessness, thinking that the world is just getting scarier and more horrible with each passing year.

But what I remember in that time right after 9/11 is the feeling of our nation coming together. Of strength and unity. Of focusing on what is truly important and letting go of the petty.

So today, I’ll take time to remember the tragedy of the past, but instead of focusing on it, I’ll focus on the hope I have for my children’s futures.

 

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Comments

  1. Isn’t it strange to try to remember a pre 9-11 time? I wonder if we’ll ever experience another 9-11 without having those feelings rush back? During the course of the year, it’s easier for me to gloss over those feelings in those first few weeks. I still find myself on that one day thinking “at this time in 2001 I was doing this” ” at this time in 2001 I was doing that”.
    I hope I can teach my youngest kids about those days and weeks without forgetting why those heroes went into those buildings….for the future of anyone and everyone they could save. You’re so right that that is the best thing to turn our focus toward now.

  2. Great attitude, Shell! I’m going to do the same today. It’s hard not to get dragged down by all the negative out there, but there is always hope! 

  3. It’s hard to believe it’s been 12 years.  Just one of those moments you will always remember where you were and what you were doing.  Ugh! 

  5. I opted not to post about this today…. I thought about it and I certainly haven’t forgotten, but I also felt, for the first time, like I wanted to leave the story telling to those that lost loved ones… does that make sense? Not that others shouldn’t absolutely post and share, but because I was so close at the time… just 70 miles away and so worried about my then husband who was right out side of the city and my cousin who worked in building three and got out safely… as one of the “lucky ones” if you will, I kind of wanted to let others highlight those that were special to them…

    • I totally understand. I thought about not posting- I don’t have a close, personal experience of that day. But I didn’t want to let the day pass as if it were just another day, either- so this was my compromise. 😉

  6. After listening President Obama speak last night and remembering what today is the anniversary of, I am hugging my son a little tighter before I drop him off at school.

  7. I’m doing the same. And oddly, as time goes on, I’m finding it easier to focus on the hope. I’m not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing…

  9. Beautiful sentiment, Shell. I totally agree – I find myself getting sucked into the bad news too, and while it’s right to honor the victims of tragedies like this, it’s also good to celebrate the things we love and be thankful for them.
    xo

  10. I was trying to explain it all to my seven-year old today… ugh. I remember the morning so vividly. And I love your perspective on it Shell. Our world IS different.

    • It’s so very different now.

      My boys only have a vague understanding of what yesterday’s anniversary was about.

  13. I love your message of focusing on the good.  And using the time we have here in the most positive ways possible.  I too will never forget that day.  It’s like slow motion in my head. 12 years later. 

  14. Such a hard day. I am trying to do the same. Focus on the good. You’re right. It was a day that changed our lives forever and our children don’t know anything different than the world we live in now (Nico was only 3 and I remember thinking those very thoughts…it will all be different now).

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