Words of Terror and Renewal

Lindsay Abrams

Age 11

 

Terror.  Dread.  Horror.  Hate.  Fear!  These are some of the words most Americans associate with September 11^th.  The terror of watching the World Trade Center fall, over and over on your television.  The dread of not ever seeing your loved ones again.  The horror of how quickly our lives were changed.  The hate, no, loathing for the man behind all of this.  The fear that he will do it again.

 

            I think of these words, but I associate others, such as learning, renewal, and love.  I know that too many people have lost their tempers, saying a cruel thing that they soon regret.  Then they rush to the person they hurt, apologize, and promise they love them.  What if that chance never came?  What if the last words you said to your parents were words you never meant?  I learned from September 11^th to always say, “I love you” to someone before I leave.

 

            Renewal.  Before September 11^th, my biggest worries in life were how good my hair looked and that I dressed “cool.”  I never really stopped to think how lucky I am to have a loving family, a safe home, and food on the table.  I never thought about how many kids have rags as clothing, and no place to live.  Now I always thank God I am so lucky, and try hard to help others.  I feel as if I am a new person.

 

            Love.  I have always taken my family for granted.  I never stopped to think how easily they can be taken from me.  I must remember this and try not to get annoyed with them over silly things.

           

            When I hear the words September 11^th, I think.