Can you believe that 8 years have gone by since 9/11? I remember it like it was yesterday. I was only in fifth grade when I was called to the office for early dismissal. Of course I was surprised, because I hadn’t been in school for more than an hour when I was called to leave. But as a fifth grader, getting picked up early from school was fine with me – no questions asked. Moments later my father told me that I was being picked up because of a terrorist attack in New York. I was only about 10 years old, so the fact that there was a terrorist attack didn’t really faze me. I lived in Boston and had no family members traveling or working in the twin towers, so what was there to worry about? I was just excited and felt special because my father picked me up from school early.

Like so many others, the anniversary of 9/11 brings back memories about what I was doing on that tragic day. For me, 9/11 is a reminder of the time when my uncle was still alive. I remember sitting down with him on the couch early that morning and watching the news. The days that I got to spend time with him ended two months later when he passed away. I didn’t lose anyone in the 9/11 attacks, and at that time I didn’t realize its importance, but 8 years later as a freshman in college, I definitely do. I sympathize deeply with those that lost family members in the attack. Even though 8 years have passed by, the pain of losing someone must still be very difficult. The important thing to remember is that even though you may miss someone you have lost, you can still keep their memories alive in your heart.

-Erica