How 9/11 Became Part of Our Lives

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Hey Kids,

You know, I don’t personally know anyone who lost their life that day. Some might think that means I shouldn’t share my story about where I was on September 11, 2001. I was just an ordinary person going about my workday.

But as the anniversary of that day comes around, it surprises me that the events surrounding it aren’t discussed more in your schools. Maybe it’s because you’re in third and seventh grades, and it feels too heavy for your age. Perhaps it’s because you weren’t even born yet when it happened. Or maybe it’s just too close to the start of a new school year.

I really hope that someday your schools will cover 9/11 in more depth—things like the timeline of the attacks, who al Qaeda is, the heroism of first responders, and what the Department of Homeland Security does. However, what might be missing from those lessons is how that day altered life for the average American, for people like me and your dad.

I was just 30 years old when terrorists took nearly 3,000 lives in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. Your dad and I had just celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary and were starting to think about having you two. But we were also trying to get settled in our careers and become financially stable. I had just started my job after getting my master’s degree four years earlier. When I walked into the office that morning, the doorman told me that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. I thought it was just a terrible accident, like that small plane that once crashed into the Empire State Building.

I was so wrong.

When terror hit on September 11, 2001, the America I knew ceased to exist. Then everything changed. I want you to understand how it changed.

Did you know that I didn’t even have a cell phone before 9/11? Your dad had one for work, and some college friends had them, but not me. On that fateful day, people trapped in the World Trade Center used their phones to call loved ones and leave messages. Suddenly, having a cell phone felt crucial. After 9/11, I got my first one so I could always reach your dad.

Or how about this: before 9/11, there were no news tickers scrolling across the bottom of our TV screens—just that one boring business channel with stock prices. But on that day, every news channel started using tickers to keep up with the flood of information about the attacks, the victims, and the attackers. Now, those tickers are everywhere, and sometimes I see silly things like weekend movie rankings scrolling by, and I get annoyed. “That’s not why we needed scrolling news,” I think. “That’s not what a ticker is for!”

Flying used to be fun too! Sure, you had to go through a metal detector and check your bags, but there weren’t long lines or much hassle. You could walk to the gate with your friends or family, even if you weren’t flying, and greet them right at the gate when they landed. The way you experience air travel today—with the long waits and serious atmosphere—is all you’ve ever known. It’s a necessary measure to keep us safe.

Did you know that after the attacks, all air traffic was grounded for several days? I’ll never forget the eerie silence in the skies. It’s amazing how many planes are up there until you realize there’s not a single one. I hope you never have to hear that quiet.

For years, I couldn’t even watch anything about 9/11. It was too painful. Even now, as the anniversary approaches, I find myself tearing up. I’ve never shared that with anyone before. It’s tied to the shock and sadness of those days. For weeks, the news was nothing but bad, sad updates, constantly scrolling across the screen. It’s hard to forget that kind of relentless negativity.

But I don’t want you to feel sad about 9/11. I want you to be informed, brave, and resilient regarding what happened. One day, your world may change due to terrorism too. 9/11 is part of our history, but it does not define our future.

And there’s one last thing: I love you today, tomorrow, and always. If there’s one lesson from living through 9/11, it’s the importance of expressing love to those who matter most.

Love,
Mom

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In summary, 9/11 is an important part of our story, representing how life can change in an instant. It’s crucial for you to learn about it not just as a historical event but as a lesson in love and resilience.