Here Comes the Sun

Twenty years ago today, while sitting in my office, in New Jersey, I heard the news. My coworkers and I sat stunned, then huddled around a TV in our office. We were in complete disbelief at what we were witnessing. I can remember the fear I felt, not knowing what was next, and the helplessness of not being able to reach family member's who'd have been in the city that day. As we were sent home to be with our loved ones, and the day turned into night, the dread and sadness we felt as a country set in. Over the fall and winter, there was a feeling of shock, then sadness, then anger, then resolve. We will never forget. We will come together as a country as we have done before. We will hug our families a bit tighter, and treat strangers as friends. Ultimately, we will heal from this, but we will never forget.

I personally went through this journey while pregnant with my first child. She was born in May of 2002, after that long cold lonely winter. Chloe burst into the world with a full head of yellow hair, and clear blue eyes, ready to brighten anyone's day. For this reason, I have long played her The Beatles song, "Here Comes the Sun" and she knows it's "our song".

As each September 11th arrives, I remember that long cold lonely winter after our nation was attacked. I remember the lives lost, the lives saved, the tremendous strength of the police, firefighters, rescue workers and survivors, not to mention the families who carried on without their loved ones. I remember that following spring, and how the darkness slowly lifted. I am reminded of our resilience, strength, and that we can endure anything, as long as we come together, and lean on one another, and never lose sight of the dawn.