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As I
contemplate this 20th anniversary of 911, I’m reminded of Dickens'
opening line in A Tale of Two Cities, “It was the best of times, it was
the worst of times.”
September
11, 2001 was “the worst of times” with the senseless terror and resulting loss. Our country was forever altered as a result
of the atrocities that day. It was “the
best of times” as we gained clarity. Day-to-day
cares seemed frivolous, and we went home and held our loved ones close.
Our country
was literally driven to its knees as we collectively prayed for those
individuals and families who lost loved ones that day. Our country became
united, petty differences were set aside.
As the years
have marched on, we have lost that unity and common purpose. I feel like there
is so much division in our country right now with people focusing on our
differences, on being right, of winning.
I don’t have
the answers, and I certainly don’t want another catastrophic event. But, if I
could make a wish that I knew would come true, it would be that we as individuals
and as a country would set aside our differences and our pride. I wish we would once again focus on what we
have in common, on our true priorities and on the long-term, greater good of us
all.
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