nmah2388.xml

nmah2388.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-10

I was at school, after having what I concidered a bad day. I had just taken a really hard math quiz. Then I heard. The world stopped. I realized that nothing could ever compare to this. It took me forever to get home after school, which is a long story. Once I was there I sat myself in front of the TV and stayed there all night and the rest of the next day. I thought that I would never be able to have a normal day again. Living in the DC area made the impact all the more real and terrifying.

My life has changed in small ways. I look at the world in a different way. I can think back to a time when I was much younger. I asked my mother what terrorism was. I had heard about it on the news. She explained it and then said but don't worry about that, there has never been a problem with terrorism in the States. We're too powerful and influential. I wish it was still true.

I think that it should always be remembered as a terrible horrific reminder of what our country means to us. That day all squabbles were put aside and it was just one AMERICAN helping another AMERICAN to get throught the pain that they didn't yet know how to express. It is a day that will always be remembered for its shock value but mostly for its human face.

I didn't actually own an American Flag on September 11th. But the next day I got one for my house, and one for every car in my driveway. The one on my house has yet to come down. Getting a flag was something that was really important to me. It was a kind of therapy. I made a shirt showing my respect and also bought two that donated towards relief efforts. It made me feel a sensational amount of pride.