Where Were You?

September 11, 2000.

That is the first, and last, day I was in New York City.

I was 11 when I got to skip school and my mom, older brother, and I visited Washington, D.C. and New York City.

Once in New York City, we went to Liberty Island, Ellis Island, and all over the Big Apple itself.

Lady Liberty was beautiful as I stood at the base and tilted my head back to see her. We then went to Ellis Island and I was able to learn the trials and torment so many people endured just trying to make it to America - Land of the Free.

Even at 11, Ellis Island left its imprint on me; and so, as we ferried back to New York City, I stood and watched the city grow before my eyes and thought of what those people saw and felt.

A year later I was seated in Mr. Gardner's math class. Now, I was never a "bad" student, but I did tend to read my own books, doodle, create new languages with my friend Hannah, and talk a LOT in class. This was one of those days that Mr. Gardner had enough of my behavior and sent me to the Principal's office. Once I got there, I was immediately sent back to class. Moseying down the long halls, avoiding having to try and learn math, an announcement went through the speakers of my school.

"Attention all teachers and students, please stop what you are doing, and turn your tv's to Channel 1"

Let's pause for a second for background.

I was born and raised in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, in a military town filled to the brim with every branch of the honorable United States Military. We were all of us related to someone in the military. Fathers, mothers, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, cousins. Our own personal superheroes.

Roads, waterways, grocery stores, classes, doctor's offices, all full of bustling people trying to spend time with and care for their families and friends, every single day.

Back to math class.

"...Turn you tv's to Channel 1"

Mr. Gardner, perplexed and confused, turned and walked to the tube television hooked to the upper corner to the left of the classroom. As he reached up to turn the tv on, we were all excited to see why we didn't have to do anymore work for the time being. His finger pressed the power button, and as the tv warmed up we were grinning with glee.

And then we saw the first tower, and listened as the reporter frantically tried to explain the vision before us.

Then the second plane crashed, and right then the world tilted, and stopped.

Silence. Each of us was suddenly quieter than we knew we could be. Mr. Gardner leaned onto his desk. In silence, we all looked at one another, understanding only that something big just happened, and something even bigger was coming.

Minutes later, the front office called into the classroom for a classmate to come to the office with all of their supplies.

Within the hour, the halls and classrooms of my school were nearly empty.

Families were saying what was potentially goodbye to their military family members, and wanted everyone home to spend time together. The few of us still in school were the lucky ones. Our families had retired or were no longer with us.

That's where I was. In my least favorite subject class, desperately wanting to go home to my brothers and parents, needing to know what next.

The purpose of this post is not to be another sob story about my experience, while many of my classmates have a darker story.

The purpose is simply to remember.

Remember it happened.

Remember the camaraderie and humanity that immediately snapped to attention.

And remember the important things in our lives.

Health is important in every aspect. Many victims are still being affected today because of varying illnesses, both mental and physical - and most of them are NOT preventable.

Find what feeds your soul and helps you to create a healthy environment.

In the coming posts, you will learn how to do this, and why.

Until then, hug your loved ones, find happiness, appreciate what you have, and prepare for your healthy environment.