Looking back on 9/11
It's been 13 years since our country was rocked at its core leaving a black mark in history books that will surely never be forgotten. Seeing many posts on social media today regarding 9/11, it brought back memories to where I was on that day. At 17 years young my "world" was very small. I remember heading downstairs to grab breakfast before heading off to high school and my dad had the TV on. I saw brief highlights of the first plane crashing into the World Trade Center. I literally comprehended nothing. I didn't ask questions. I focused on gathering my things so I wouldn't be late. I remember thinking at the time "What the hell is the World Trade Center?". The only Twin Towers I knew of to date had been David Robinson and Tim Duncan. It might as well have been a movie. Again, my world was small.
Once I arrived at school many students were visibly shaken. It took me a second to realize why. What I had seen earlier was apparently still developing. As class started I believe we were able to watch some live coverage. I definitely remember our teachers trying to keep us calm and discuss everything that was happening as our neighbors across the country were enduring unimaginable chaos.
I think it's easy to be ignorant at any age. I've always prided myself on knowing as much information as possible...but on this day I was so lost and it still sticks with me today.
Back then I split my days between attending high school in the morning and attending college in the afternoon/evening. If memory serves I had a break in the early afternoon before my college math class so I headed back to my house.
That day my mom was supposed to go to the cell phone store to pick up the latest Nokia phone with the snake game. I couldn't wait to be one of the cool kids and gobble up all the objects in the game.
When I made it home my mom told me because of what was happening she wouldn't be going to the store. I still wasn't grasping how something across the country was affecting me in the smiles of suburbia. I tried to plead with her but it was to no avail.
Later that afternoon I had a math exam. It should be noted that I was no gifted scholar in mathematics and well on my way to failing this class...even so early in the semester. I remember sitting in class probably debating how bad I was going to do...when our teacher was admittedly upset by the days events. She questioned out loud if she should cancel the test.
I selfishly hoped that she would. The sad truth is, I would have failed regardless. The exam ended up occurring, and I did poorly as expected. But that was due to my lack of preparation.
Reflecting now it's embarrassing how ignorant we can be. I think oftentimes our world really is small...struggling mightily to care about our neighbors around us. I still don't know as much about this world as I should. I doubt I will ever get there.
I share these feelings of embarrassment/guilt with you because that's honestly how it happened. As a teaching experience we should all be willing to put our "problems" in perspective and shed ignorant ways.
May we be reminded to think outside of ourselves and not let simplistic troubles pollute our minds.
Peace, love, and not really sarcasm, j.d.k.