"It's not enough for us to wish and pray for a better, safer, peaceful world. We have to take an active role in making it so."

I lived in NYC in the early 90's and spent a lot of time in the World Trade Center. The Windows on the World restaurant on the 107th floor of the North Tower was my favorite place to take visitors.

18 years ago today, I was in Chicago staying in a hotel near the Sears Tower when the news broke. Word on the street was that "they're hitting Chicago next". I felt a shift in the universe that day and have never felt the same since.

It's not enough for us to wish and pray for a better, safer, peaceful world. We have to take an active role in making it so. Today, I celebrate all of the people committed to doing more good.

#DoMoreGood

-------------------------------------------------------------

We’re Still Standing

by Hannah Schoechert, 7th grade student

Those twin towers

Standing tall with pride,

Fell with grieving hearts.

Stunned, America cried.

But we’re still standing.

Bin Laden tried

To crush our land,

But we stood our ground

With our flag in hand.

And we’re still standing.

Red for valor

And the blood that fell.

White for purity

Our heroes tell.

Blue for the justice

That will be done,

Proving once more

These colors don’t run.

And we’re still standing.