September 11, 2001 is a day none of us will soon forget. We all can instantly recall the exact location, time and what we were doing on this dreadful morning. It is as if we could close our eyes and all of our senses would take us right back to the moment. The moment all our lives…the lives of every American, were forever changed.

Our community hosts a candle light vigil every year where candles are lit, prayers are said, strangers hands are held, and as a community we come together…united, stronger than ever. I plan to attend this year with our kids for the first time.

That day, as I sat in Freshmen English class, drinking a yoohoo and snacking on a sticky bun from our bottomless pit of a vending machine ( I swear, it like it never ran out of ANYTHING), I can say that my greatest worry was who I would sit with at lunch. And then the bell sounded, T.V.s turned on, sirens were heard…and the rest, its history!

Today everything has changed. I dont worry about who I will sit with at lunch….I worry about everything and everyone else. Partly its because I am now a wife…a mother of two, and a small business owner…but its so much more than that.

Our world appears to just be falling apart at the seams. Every step forward towards kindness and peace seems to be slammed 5 steps backwards as every hateful action and word is spoken or done.

I pray for a united force of peace. A peaceful place for my babies to grow and raise their own families. I pray for peace for the families that had loves ones taken far too soon. I pray for the families of the fallen heroes (police, military, fire, etc). As a police officers/first responders wife…I simply could not imagine what you have gone through.

I pray this September 11, 12 years later, for all fallen to rest in peace and watch over this seemingly fragile world we and our children live in. Our world is in pain and needs love and faith and guidance. There is far too much hate and it needs to stop.

God please hear our prayers, fallen angels you may be gone from this temporary home, but you will never be forgotten. You have not died in vain and I promise to be kind, make the most of this gift called life, and promote peace and love for all I encounter.

Reflect on what this day meant and still means to you and so many others. Never take this loss in vain. Never forget what soooooo many gave for our peace. Our freedom. Our futures.