today at work i think i wrote the date at least twenty times

& every time it got me..

i don’t think any of us can be not phased 

when we say SEPTEMBER ELEVENTH…

everyone remembers where they were

seventh grade

first block

we never left our classroom 

the news was on & we all sat in disbelief as our teacher tried to explain what was going on

because i lived so close to the Air Force base, 

we all went home as soon as they could get busses our way

i remember the principal coming on the loud speaker & letting us call our parents

my mom picked me up

& no one could turn the news off

…

it is one of those LIFE CHANGING history moments

like all the ones our parents remember:

-first man on the moon

-JFK assassination

-MLK assassination

-the fall of the Berlin wall

it was the first time i felt part of something bigger. something textbook worthy. history was happening and i was a part of it. and it broke my heart. the pain and the wars of history books became my reality. 

…

REMEMBER

yes. i think that is what we need to do. remember how short life is. how unpredictable and raw. remember how much hurt is in this world. how many people need a friend, someone to talk to. it is like a reality check – are you living the way you want to be? are you making the most of your time?

i am challenged today.

history is happening

am i living in a way that leaves a mark?