remembering sept. 11

everyone remembers nine eleven. i didn't fully understand until years later that it's one of those moments you don't forget.
i remember when the first plane hit. i was in my dad's trooper on the way to school with him. he was listening to imas in the morning like usual, and i believe their office/studio is actually in new york. they started freaking out and barely explaining what was going on. it was chaotic.
i got to school and i could tell something was up, but i think it was pretty hush through the day, mostly just chatter with my classmates but pretty calm. i was in fourth grade, so ten years old.
the only other thing i remember was that night my mom was folding laundry in her room. the lights were off, but she was watching the news. the footage was recapping the day's events and names were on the bottom of the screen.  she was crying.
i didn't really understand what was going on and asked a lot of questions. i think of my little sister maggie who is in fourth grade this year. i remember it so clearly, and now obviously understand it a lot more, but i'm surprised i even know somewhat what was going on, but at the same time i'm not. it was a big deal.
but now i understand what the big deal was. an attack on our country. at that time we weren't exactly sure if it was fluke accidents or what. i don't necessarily like thinking about that day, seeing pictures, or watching the coverage that's been on lately remembering nine eleven, but it think it's important that it not be forgotten. i am proud of our country for coming together because of it. i am proud of the people who risked and gave their lives for others. i am proud of the people who took down the plane and crashed their plane to save so many others lives.
this is why i don't get so mad about the extra security in our country. i think things can be a lot more difficult, but it's not that big of a deal if i have to throw away my water bottle or can't take my shampoo on the plane or take my shoes off to go through security. i don't have anything to hide and if that's what it takes to find the people who DO have something to hide, i'm okay with that.
it sucks people want to kill us. in a way that's what it comes down to. sorry if that was too blunt. but i don't get it. we watched a movie/documentary in my high school issues class that was a modge podge of the taliban, islam, radical islam, the terrorists, their motives, their training, etc. and it was quite chilling. it was uncomfortable and confusing to watch, but it was real, it was sad, and i'm glad we did.
i don't think i'll ever understand why their is such a hatred for our country, but i'm glad that we don't just throw in the towel. i'm glad that there are people who serve our country and are willing to give their lives for our safety.
i love that i know people in the military academies right now. those boys are so great. my friends from home think byu would be bad because we don't have the typical "college experience", but to be honest i think they would much rather be here than at west point. not many people have the discipline that those student do. but at the same time they're smart, willing, and focused. not only at the academies, but those who enlist, anyone serving. it takes someone who loves our country and what we stand for to do what they do. and i'm grateful we have those people protecting us.

so. take a second to remember ten years ago. remember where you were, what happened, and how you felt. remember our country, what we stand for, and what we are able to enjoy as citizens of the united states of america.
never forget september eleventh.