Never forget...

For me, the date of September 11th used to represent the day my father celebrated his birthday, but all that changed in an instant 10 years ago. I'm, at least, thankful that he didn't live long enough to witness this one poignantly horrific event in history that forever changed those who did.

These immoral attacks on civility spurned just the opposite reaction than was probably intended by such drastic actions. They not only unified my country's populace at the time, but also created a solidarity between the 93 nations that also suffered a prolific commonality of loss. All precious persons who unwittingly became victims of circumstance and infamy because of these events were loved by someone, somewhere.

Conversely, the heroism, bravery and selflessness displayed in a multitude of immeasurable ways will fill a lifetime's worth of books, film, photographs, recordings and memories. People giving to complete strangers in their time of need brings us back to the humanity that should exist within all of us; stories so compelling that imagination pales in comparison to their reality.

That one morning in time was not the only example of man's inhumanity to man that has ever existed, but what it taught me, personally, was: to never take anything...or anyone...for granted.

©2011 Debbie Ballard