How 9/11 Impacted Who I Am Today

On September 11, 2001, my life along with millions of others' lives would change. When I was just nine years old, preparing for school, I vividly remember walking into my parents bedroom and seeing the Twin Towers on fire and collapsing minutes later.?

At that age I had no idea what was happening and I remember thinking that the building was being purposefully demolished. It wasn’t until my mother said, “No, a plane flew into the building and people were in those buildings.”

I became sad and confused about what was going on. School that day was met with somber feelings and no work getting done that day.?

Five years later, I would feel the effects of the war with the middle east. My dad was called to deploy to the middle east, leaving my mom and my brothers and sisters behind. Being one of the oldest, I had to step up and leave child-like behavior behind. My most important duty was to be there for my Mom, strong for my dad and help raise my two youngest siblings.?

It’s crazy how one specific event can change our lives forever. I believe that the events around 9/11 helped shape me into the woman I am today. During the time my dad was away, I had to grow up.

A year later, my dad would arrive home safely. When my dad returned home, it was like we could all breathe again. No more black out dates, anxious waiting, and hoping that we did not receive bad news when we could not get ahold of him.?

Only a few years later, while I was in college, my dad visited me at my apartment in San Marcos. He was coming back from drill duty in San Diego and came to say hello before he made his way back to LA.?

I remember him wearing one of my favorite uniforms of his. I always loved seeing my dad in his military uniform. How about having a real life hero as a Dad? It hit me even harder when I learned my Dad’s accomplishment as a Master Chief was an accomplishment that less than 1% in the Navy achieve. WOW!?

As my dad stepped into my apartment with his white and black uniform, with over a dozen pins and badges on his shirt, he began to make small talk and then he broke the bad news. He would be deploying again, but to Afghanistan, which was a hot zone for combat. I immediately broke down in his arms, not wanting him to go because I selfishly thought he already served his time.?

In that moment, I feared for his safety, I feared for what my younger siblings and my mom would have to go through without me being home. In this moment, I had two choices, give up and go home or fight for what I believed in.?

My dad leaving for a second time, taught me how to be strong on my own. It taught me how to fight for what I believe in even when it’s hard. I learned how to be selfless and a team player. I learned that the trivial drama on the softball field was nothing compared to what my family and my dad had to go through. I became more brave. I began to work harder and understand that life is never promised. If you’re going to spend your time doing something, you might as well be the best at what you do through hard work!?

I have learned so many lessons throughout the time my dad was deployed.?

I am so honored to say that my Dad is my Hero. He is one of the most selfless, hard working, kind, and brave people I know. It’s not everyday that you get to see a Hero in action, but I am so blessed to have not one, but two parents who were strong through tough times for my siblings and I and showed us what true patriotism and selflessness looks like.?

So you see, 9/11 forever changed me. At just nine years old, I didn't know it at the time, but I would gain the character I needed to be the person I am today. And that is a strong, brave, courageous, kind, hardworking and humble Black woman. Although tragedy was a part of 9/11, good came in many ripples and waves that would forever change those directly and indirectly affected on that day, including me.

We will never forget the people who lost their lives on 9/11 and those thereafter.