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I will never forget where I was the day that the world changed. I was only in 7th grade at the time sitting in a home economics class when a teacher came running in the door saying that we needed to turn on the T.V. because there was an explosion at the World Trade Center. A girl sitting next to me went completely pale and whispered to a few of us around her that her cousin works in one of the buildings. We turned on the TV and I remember not hearing anything, not only in the class but out in the halls. Everyone had turned on the same channel and the news broadcast was echoing through the halls and forming one sound. We sat and watched in disbelief and because we were on Long Island, not very far from the city we all felt like this was happening right behind us. The entire class began to hold hands and just sit in silence. Parents started to come and pick their children up from school and take them home, because we didn't feel safe. As I got home I immediately turned on the news and watched as the second plane hit the towers. I sat and sobbed, I knew that things have forever changed. Watching the towers fall was another experience all on its own, I felt this gut wrenching pain in my stomach and in my heart, it was almost too much to bear. My mom and I sat in the living room watching and feeling helpless.

What amazed me though was the way New Yorkers came together. It was like EVERYONE was apart of everyone's family after that day. There was no hatred, no anger, just love and support for one another because we knew that our lives have changed forever. The strength and the courage that the NYPD, FDNY and the many volunteers showed during the aftermath was and still is truly heroic.

I try to remember it everyday. Americans came together as one on that day. We should try to remember that everyday, try to be polite to people not be in such a rush to get everywhere. Just stop and remember that each and every day is precious and we shouldn't take it for granted.