Nine years ago today, I woke up to my phone ringing incessantly. I looked through blurred eyes at a clock that read 8:20. No one I care to talk to could be calling me this freaking early. Then I heard my brother’s voice on the answering machine. Something about “… and please don’t go into any malls or tall buildings today. I love you.” I awoke completely, startled and nervous, and turned on the television.
What I saw that morning, like all other Americans, was the devastation that was 9/11. I’ll never forget the feeling of horrified confusion, followed by sheer terror and eventually, outrage and utter heartbreak.
For two hundred and thirty four years Americans have celebrated the birth of our country on July 4th. But since 2001, unfortunately there is another day to stop and remember our great nation and all that have fought and fallen for us. To remember who we are, where came from, what we’ve been through, and the very best of what we can be.
This year on 9/11, I’m drinking some classic American wine and saluting our fallen friends, family, neighbors and heroes.