September 11. No matter how long ago that horrific event was it still feels like yesterday for me. So I was surprised this morning when I worked out it was 11 years ago today when many of our lives changed. I can remember every detail of what I did that day like it was imprinted on my brain. Is that what happens to us whenever we experience something traumatic in our lives? Are we programmed to not only remember the traumatic event but to remember the lesson from it as well? Is that why trauma comes into our lives?
I think back to the young Bermudian woman who lost her life in the Towers. About how she left here only a few days before to start an internship and never came back. Thinking about how strange life can be sometimes and how when things are meant to happen in our lives, there is nothing that will stop our destiny. Nothing. Reminding me, we are always where we are meant to be.
I thought about all those people who were supposed to be in those towers but for divine reasons were not. About how destiny took them away from those towers because it was not their time. Reminding me again we are always where we are meant to be.
I have several friends who got caught up in the drama as it was unfolding. One who was supposed to be in a meeting in the Towers but the room was double booked so he was moved to a hotel across the street. The trauma he experienced is indescribable. And then a few years later his wife died on September 11 so this date has a significance for him that only he can understand.
Then I have another friend who got caught under the plume of dust and debris that took over the streets when the Towers fell. He was with a friend and they got separated by the plume and they couldn’t breathe as all of a sudden they were shrouded in this darkness that took their breath away. Disorienting them. Making it difficult for them to move on. But somehow they managed to find each other’s hands and hold onto to each other walking through the darkness without realising whose hand each had grabbed onto. How they staggered along in the plume until they moved a few feet to the side and found themselves out in the light of day again. Stepping out of the plume of darkness and looking around him in a state of disbelief because he realised there had been fresh air and light only a few feet away. Wondering why he had struggled through the dirt and dust fearing for his life when all he had to do was move a few feet to the side.
A life lesson for us all. Here it is the 11th anniversary of the 11th of September. When many of us could not believe the coldness of human nature through the terrorist attacks played out before our eyes. When many of us saw the graciousness and kindness of human nature in all those people who risked their lives to save others. When many of us saw even on the calmest and most beautiful day a plume of darkness can come and try to snuff out our light. But it is up to us to keep moving and having faith in order to find our way out of the darkness. Remembering always - there is always light even on the darkest days.
To the families and friends of all of the people who became angels that day, thanks for allowing us to be reminded that life can change in an instant. To the friends and family who experienced the trauma of the Towers collapsing, may you always remember there is always light even on your darkest days. To all of us may we remember we are always where we are meant to be to learn the lessons we are meant to learn. And for the significance of this date I am truly grateful.
September 11 a sacred day of remembrance, gratitude and faith.
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