Time is relative, we are told. Our charting of it is ultimately without meaning beyond our points of reference.
And yet, just as years represent our planet’s revolution around it’s star, our lives revolve around years. We see significance in the dates of events; birth, death, celebration, and commemoration. We measure ourselves, our societies, and our world in years. We remember the anniversaries of these dates and mark them with ceremonies, holidays, and reflection.
But there are some anniversaries we wish we could forget. For me, today is one of those.
I didn’t see the planes crash, or the buildings burn or fall, but I know it happened. I didn’t see anyone die, but I know many did. I had no family, no friends in danger. I sat safely in an office cubicle as news of the day filtered in, and I was petrified.
Time has passed, and taken much of the fear with it, leaving only anger and sorrow, to be renewed once each year as our planet revolves around it’s star and the date comes up once again on the calendar: September 11th.
I know it’s just a date, a measurement of relative time, meaningless outside of our limited points of reference. But it’s a reminder - a familiar symbol that triggers feelings and memories from a painful time I wish I could forget.
To the rest of you, suffering in your own way, my sympathies.