September 11, 2001 - Living Nightmare
Do any moments in your life feel like a dream? I don't mean in the sense of something positive or negative happening, but an event happening that generally feels surreal. Such as, you host a party you spend two weeks planning, and the day after, you think, "Did that happen?". One such a day for was September 11, 2001. Exactly TEN years ago
I was not in New York City, or any of the other sites where the planes hit. Nevertheless, I can still remember "THAT" day quite well.
I was in High School at that point, in my final year. I was looking forward to graduating in June, and the upcoming first part of Lord of the Rings. When I had heard, the exact message I got was "New York is under attack."
My first thought was something akin to the Peal Harbor attacks in '40s where the entire area was under attack. Another thing that went through my head (after I got a few more scraps of information, such as 'bombing') was that random, spread-out areas of the city were under siege, or even, a nuke went off or something. Either way, it was so unbelievable, and shocking, that what happened that day ACTUALLY happened.
There are many deaths and tragedy every day in the world. Many of them go unnoticed by the media. I think, though, why September 11th felt so different was for two reasons - it was closer to home (and for many people it literally happened right in their backyards). when something so terrible happens so close, it affects one differently.
Of course the other reason was the scale of it. I'm talking both about of people affected, and, well, the actual SIZE of the towers. I had never seen them with my own eyes, and of course, will neverbe able to, but I admit to never being to NYC, the WTC Towers was a draw for me. Much in the same way the CN Tower is to Toronto, Space Needle to Seattle, and so on.
My friend I left for the day, and when I got home, I, like virtually every person on the planet, saw it on the news. Over the course of the day, I watched in disbelief as what looked like planes (they could have been missiles. This post is not about possible conspiracy theory of that day, however, I can't ignore that fact. This post is acknowledging loss, heroism & bravery displayed by humankind that day) slamming into the Twin Towers, The Pentagon, as well as the wreckage and rescue teams.
I was not in New York City, or any of the other sites where the planes hit. Nevertheless, I can still remember "THAT" day quite well.
I was in High School at that point, in my final year. I was looking forward to graduating in June, and the upcoming first part of Lord of the Rings. When I had heard, the exact message I got was "New York is under attack."
My first thought was something akin to the Peal Harbor attacks in '40s where the entire area was under attack. Another thing that went through my head (after I got a few more scraps of information, such as 'bombing') was that random, spread-out areas of the city were under siege, or even, a nuke went off or something. Either way, it was so unbelievable, and shocking, that what happened that day ACTUALLY happened.
There are many deaths and tragedy every day in the world. Many of them go unnoticed by the media. I think, though, why September 11th felt so different was for two reasons - it was closer to home (and for many people it literally happened right in their backyards). when something so terrible happens so close, it affects one differently.
Of course the other reason was the scale of it. I'm talking both about of people affected, and, well, the actual SIZE of the towers. I had never seen them with my own eyes, and of course, will neverbe able to, but I admit to never being to NYC, the WTC Towers was a draw for me. Much in the same way the CN Tower is to Toronto, Space Needle to Seattle, and so on.
My friend I left for the day, and when I got home, I, like virtually every person on the planet, saw it on the news. Over the course of the day, I watched in disbelief as what looked like planes (they could have been missiles. This post is not about possible conspiracy theory of that day, however, I can't ignore that fact. This post is acknowledging loss, heroism & bravery displayed by humankind that day) slamming into the Twin Towers, The Pentagon, as well as the wreckage and rescue teams.
On that day, police officers, firefighters, the US Army, even those trapped inside the buildings above where the planes hit, and countless others went above and beyond their duties, as they were not doing their jobs, but answering an inate call of duty within themselves to help another human being.
Hundreds and hundreds of lives were lost that day. A significant number were from the initial attacks, many more from the s&r operations. As a firefighter once said, "I'm not a hero. I'm just a fireman."
Looking back, and even shortly after, "9/11" was of interest to me. What I mean by that, is how some people like to study WWII history, JFK, and other pivotal events. Things leading up to September 11, Sept. 11 itself, and the aftermath. Afterall, without sounding insensitive, this was history unfolding before our very eyes.
As is the case of any major catastrophe, we, as humans, recover and rebuild and carry on the stronger for it.
In closing, I'd like you to look at this last picture below. What do you think when you see it? To me it feels almost dream-like : "WAS there a time those towers existed?"
P.S: I'd like to attach some song lyrics that I believe suit the situation 10 years from today, and today when we remember those tragic events. Normally, I'd attach a link to the song on Youtube, but I want you to READ the lyrics.
"Yesterday" - The Beatles
Yesterday,
All my troubles seemed so far away,
Now it looks as though they're here to stay,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Suddenly,
I'm not half the man I used to be,
There's a shadow hanging over me,
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.
Why she
Had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say.
I said,
Something wrong, now I long for yesterday.
Yesterday,
Love was such an easy game to play,
Now I need a place to hide away,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Why she
Had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say.
I said,
Something wrong, now I long for yesterday.
Yesterday,
Love was such an easy game to play,
Now I need a place to hide away,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
All my troubles seemed so far away,
Now it looks as though they're here to stay,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Suddenly,
I'm not half the man I used to be,
There's a shadow hanging over me,
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.
Why she
Had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say.
I said,
Something wrong, now I long for yesterday.
Yesterday,
Love was such an easy game to play,
Now I need a place to hide away,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Why she
Had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say.
I said,
Something wrong, now I long for yesterday.
Yesterday,
Love was such an easy game to play,
Now I need a place to hide away,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
"Let it Be" - The Beatles
When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree,
there will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is still a chance that they will see,
there will be an answer. let it be.
Let it be, let it be, .....
And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light, that shines on me,
shine until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, .....
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree,
there will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is still a chance that they will see,
there will be an answer. let it be.
Let it be, let it be, .....
And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light, that shines on me,
shine until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, .....
"Imagine" - John Lennon
Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
"Where the Streets Have No Name" - U2
I wanna run
I want to hide
I wanna tear down the walls
That hold me inside
I wanna reach out
And touch the flame
Where the streets have no name
Ha...ha...ha...
I want to feel
Sunlight on my face
I see the dust cloud disappear
Without a trace
I want to take shelter from the poison rain
Where the streets have no name
Ho...ha...
Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
We're still building
Then burning down love
Burning down love
And when I go there
I go there with you
It's all I can do
The city's aflood
And our love turns to rust
We're beaten and blown by the wind
Trampled in dust
I'll show you a place
High on a desert plain
Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
We're still building
Then burning down love
Burning down love
And when I go there
I go there with you
It's all I can do
Our love turns to rust
We're beaten and blown by the wind
Blown by the wind
Oh, and I see our love
See our love turn to rust
Oh, we're beaten and blown by the wind
Blown by the wind
Oh, when I go there
I go there with you
It's all I can do
I want to hide
I wanna tear down the walls
That hold me inside
I wanna reach out
And touch the flame
Where the streets have no name
Ha...ha...ha...
I want to feel
Sunlight on my face
I see the dust cloud disappear
Without a trace
I want to take shelter from the poison rain
Where the streets have no name
Ho...ha...
Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
We're still building
Then burning down love
Burning down love
And when I go there
I go there with you
It's all I can do
The city's aflood
And our love turns to rust
We're beaten and blown by the wind
Trampled in dust
I'll show you a place
High on a desert plain
Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
We're still building
Then burning down love
Burning down love
And when I go there
I go there with you
It's all I can do
Our love turns to rust
We're beaten and blown by the wind
Blown by the wind
Oh, and I see our love
See our love turn to rust
Oh, we're beaten and blown by the wind
Blown by the wind
Oh, when I go there
I go there with you
It's all I can do
"One" - U2
Is it getting better
Or do you feel the same
Will it make it easier on you now
You got someone to blame
You say...
One love
One life
When it's one need
In the night
One love
We get to share it
Leaves you baby if you
Don't care for it
Did I disappoint you
Or leave a bad taste in your mouth
You act like you never had love
And you want me to go without
Well it's...
Too late
Tonight
To drag the past out into the light
We're one, but we're not the same
We get to
Carry each other
Carry each other
One...
Have you come here for forgiveness
Have you come to raise the dead
Have you come here to play Jesus
To the lepers in your head
Did I ask too much
More than a lot
You gave me nothing
Now it's all I got
We're one
But we're not the same
Well we
Hurt each other
Then we do it again
You say
Love is a temple
Love a higher law
Love is a temple
Love the higher law
You ask me to enter
But then you make me crawl
And I can't be holding on
To what you got
When all you got is hurt
One love
One blood
One life
You got to do what you should
One life
With each other
Sisters
Brothers
One life
But we're not the same
We get to
Carry each other
Carry each other
One...life
One
Or do you feel the same
Will it make it easier on you now
You got someone to blame
You say...
One love
One life
When it's one need
In the night
One love
We get to share it
Leaves you baby if you
Don't care for it
Did I disappoint you
Or leave a bad taste in your mouth
You act like you never had love
And you want me to go without
Well it's...
Too late
Tonight
To drag the past out into the light
We're one, but we're not the same
We get to
Carry each other
Carry each other
One...
Have you come here for forgiveness
Have you come to raise the dead
Have you come here to play Jesus
To the lepers in your head
Did I ask too much
More than a lot
You gave me nothing
Now it's all I got
We're one
But we're not the same
Well we
Hurt each other
Then we do it again
You say
Love is a temple
Love a higher law
Love is a temple
Love the higher law
You ask me to enter
But then you make me crawl
And I can't be holding on
To what you got
When all you got is hurt
One love
One blood
One life
You got to do what you should
One life
With each other
Sisters
Brothers
One life
But we're not the same
We get to
Carry each other
Carry each other
One...life
One
"Walk On" - U2
And love is not the easy thing
The only baggage that you can bring...
And love is not the easy thing...
The only baggage you can bring
Is all that you can't leave behind
And if the darkness is to keep us apart
And if the daylight feels like it's a long way off
And if your glass heart should crack
And for a second you turn back
Oh no, be strong
Walk on, walk on
What you got they can't steal it
No they can't even feel it
Walk on, walk on...
Stay safe tonight
You're packing a suitcase for a place none of us has been
A place that has to be believed to be seen
You could have flown away
A singing bird in an open cage
Who will only fly, only fly for freedom
Walk on, walk on
What you've got they can't deny it
Can't sell it, or buy it
Walk on, walk on
Stay safe tonight
And I know it aches
And your heart it breaks
And you can only take so much
Walk on, walk on
Home... hard to know what it is if you've never had one
Home... I can't say where it is but I know I'm going home
That's where the heart is
and I know it aches
How your heart it breaks
And you can only take so much
Walk on, walk on
Leave it behind
You got to leave it behind
All that you fashion
All that you make
All that you build
All that you break
All that you measure
All that you feel
All this you can leave behind
All that you reason
All that you sense
All that you speak
All you dress-up
All that you scheme...
The only baggage that you can bring...
And love is not the easy thing...
The only baggage you can bring
Is all that you can't leave behind
And if the darkness is to keep us apart
And if the daylight feels like it's a long way off
And if your glass heart should crack
And for a second you turn back
Oh no, be strong
Walk on, walk on
What you got they can't steal it
No they can't even feel it
Walk on, walk on...
Stay safe tonight
You're packing a suitcase for a place none of us has been
A place that has to be believed to be seen
You could have flown away
A singing bird in an open cage
Who will only fly, only fly for freedom
Walk on, walk on
What you've got they can't deny it
Can't sell it, or buy it
Walk on, walk on
Stay safe tonight
And I know it aches
And your heart it breaks
And you can only take so much
Walk on, walk on
Home... hard to know what it is if you've never had one
Home... I can't say where it is but I know I'm going home
That's where the heart is
and I know it aches
How your heart it breaks
And you can only take so much
Walk on, walk on
Leave it behind
You got to leave it behind
All that you fashion
All that you make
All that you build
All that you break
All that you measure
All that you feel
All this you can leave behind
All that you reason
All that you sense
All that you speak
All you dress-up
All that you scheme...
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