English: Tribute in Light, September 11, 2010. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
On various social media platforms people are recalling where they were or how they found out about the events that took place on September 11, 2001.
It’s hard to imagine that in 2001 many things that we use everyday had not been invented yet– items like Facebook (2004), YouTube (2005),Twitter (2006), the iPhone (2007), even this blogging platform wasn’t released until 2003.
A lot has changed in the last 12 years some for good and others not so much.
As I reflect on this day that is etched into so many people’s minds I am instantly transported to the moment when I heard the grave news. The guy living across the hall from me in college stopped me on my way to chemistry and told me the news. I couldn’t believe what was happening.
Although 12 years have passed, for many that day is still as fresh at is was in 2001. The world has gotten a lot smaller and in some cases more harsh. What happened 12 years was a national tragedy, one that our nation has taken the time to remember each year. We recall the names of those who died, we have moments of silence to honor them and we grieve all over again.
In my ministry in health care I meet people who have recently lost a love one. At times they will say something “I know that I need to get over it.” I stop them and I tell them that its ok if they never “get over it” and in all actuality they will never “get over it.” The goal is not getting over a tragedy is goal is learning to deal with the pain, the hurt, the grief and the loss. Too often we think that we should sprint to the acceptance phase of the stages of grief; we as a society don’t do well with grief, for some reason we get uncomfortable.
May we remember those who died this day; those on the planes and those trying to rescue the people trapped in the Trade Centers- not just on the anniversary.
May we never forget.
In Christ,
Rev. Evan
Rev. Dr. Evan M. Dolive 