September 11, 2001

Everyone has been remembering and recounting their experiences of this historic day. I think, perhaps, my experience was different than most. I was a 11 year old American child living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. No doubt it was a frightful day for people all across the world, but there is no doubt it hit those living on American soil the hardest. It was as though we were one step removed from the chaos and the trauma and the swell of patriotism.

I didn't really know what had happened.

I remember getting to school and my sixth grade teacher had the TV on and all day they ran the same clip of the towers being hit and this Israelite (Arab? Muslim? pardon my ignorance) man was speaking a language I didn't understand. I did not have an understanding of the gravity of the situation. I didn't realize how sharp a blow had send the American nation reeling.

It wasn't until a year later, in my 7th grade class when we discussed the events that I began to see how much had changed. How monumental that day is and forever will be in the history of not only the United States but the world.

There is a part of me that wishes I was here. That i was in The States 10 years ago.

I wish I had a memory of the swell of patriotism. I wish I could count myself as one of those millions of Americans who fell to their knees, first in fear, then in prayer.

But, the truth is, I am so proud to be an American. I love this country and the men and women that have, do, and will sacrifice everything to protect and defend it.