#NeverForget
Published Sep 17, 2022 12:05 am
IT'S THE SMALL THINGS
We all have our share of #NeverForget moments – personally, as a country, and in our shared history. Different triggers bring light to these moments from time to time, as do celebrations of anniversaries and commemorations. Whatever the case may be, these are events – tragic, joyful, or otherwise – that have been ingrained in our minds, hearts and souls; ones that we are unlikely to forget, and remember forever most vividly in our lifetimes. Last Sunday, September the eleventh, I found myself in the Big Apple, sitting among a crowd while having the privilege of watching the finals of the US Open. Right before the final match, minutes were dedicated to the remembrance of 9/11/2001, and the whole time, the date was projected on the court – that tragic day in New York City, when the twin towers fell. It was a terrorist attack that affected us all regardless of where we were in this world. It was one that changed travel forever. It was a day that exacerbated stereotypes and racism; one that caused many to lose their loved ones unexpectedly. In short, it remains (at least in my life as I am sure it does with many others) one of those days where I remember exactly where I was, and what I was doing the moment the airplanes struck the World Trade Center. September 11th regardless, will always remain a day in history as that changed so many lives. Forever.
When the match ended, and the champions gave a few words, both Rudd and Alcaraz gave a heartfelt moment to commemorate the September 11th attacks – to America, the lives lost, and most importantly, to those who fought bravely and extensively when it mattered most. It was that moment that struck a chord in me actually. That specific one dedicated to the firefighters, the police men, the paramedics, the doctors, the everyday unsung heroes who risked and endangered their own lives without second thought. They whose conviction and call to duty are unparalleled. They who keep us safe even when they risk their own lives, and have families waiting for them at home. They who we do not celebrate enough, often take for granted, but who come around when the moments matter most.
When the pandemic first hit two years ago, and we were dealing with the unknown, it was also a scenario that shone a bright light on front liners – medical and otherwise – who needed to get out and face the invisible enemy so that the rest of our lives could run smoother. September 11th would have been an otherwise ordinary day at work in New York City for most, which quite immediately turned into a tragedy, but on a similar note, although much more sudden, was also a day for many of facing the unknown.
Having lived through quite a period of uncertainty myself now, I can definitely say that what is most frightening and anxiety inducing is not knowing what is to come, or the fact that our lives can actually change in a split second. What we tend to neglect is the very fact that our everyday unsung heroes are humans who have chosen to dedicate their lives to a sense of duty towards the rest of humanity – towards their country, and greater community. They are people who face the risk of the unknown almost on a daily basis, and continue to choose to do so everyday. They have some of the biggest hearts, and are the champions we never seem to recognize enough. They form their own group of #NeverForget regardless where we are in this world, and the next time we run across any of them – in the streets, in the hospitals, at the grocery stores – on or off duty, let us give them a smile. This show of kindness is enough to ease their day, and let them know that we appreciate them, and all that they do.
#NeverForget. Two words that when joined together gives a most powerful impact, and is one of the strongest triggers to any of us. Whatever it may bring about in your memory bank, I pray that you may have gained strength and resilience from these experiences.
We all have our share of #NeverForget moments – personally, as a country, and in our shared history. Different triggers bring light to these moments from time to time, as do celebrations of anniversaries and commemorations. Whatever the case may be, these are events – tragic, joyful, or otherwise – that have been ingrained in our minds, hearts and souls; ones that we are unlikely to forget, and remember forever most vividly in our lifetimes. Last Sunday, September the eleventh, I found myself in the Big Apple, sitting among a crowd while having the privilege of watching the finals of the US Open. Right before the final match, minutes were dedicated to the remembrance of 9/11/2001, and the whole time, the date was projected on the court – that tragic day in New York City, when the twin towers fell. It was a terrorist attack that affected us all regardless of where we were in this world. It was one that changed travel forever. It was a day that exacerbated stereotypes and racism; one that caused many to lose their loved ones unexpectedly. In short, it remains (at least in my life as I am sure it does with many others) one of those days where I remember exactly where I was, and what I was doing the moment the airplanes struck the World Trade Center. September 11th regardless, will always remain a day in history as that changed so many lives. Forever.
When the match ended, and the champions gave a few words, both Rudd and Alcaraz gave a heartfelt moment to commemorate the September 11th attacks – to America, the lives lost, and most importantly, to those who fought bravely and extensively when it mattered most. It was that moment that struck a chord in me actually. That specific one dedicated to the firefighters, the police men, the paramedics, the doctors, the everyday unsung heroes who risked and endangered their own lives without second thought. They whose conviction and call to duty are unparalleled. They who keep us safe even when they risk their own lives, and have families waiting for them at home. They who we do not celebrate enough, often take for granted, but who come around when the moments matter most.
When the pandemic first hit two years ago, and we were dealing with the unknown, it was also a scenario that shone a bright light on front liners – medical and otherwise – who needed to get out and face the invisible enemy so that the rest of our lives could run smoother. September 11th would have been an otherwise ordinary day at work in New York City for most, which quite immediately turned into a tragedy, but on a similar note, although much more sudden, was also a day for many of facing the unknown.
Having lived through quite a period of uncertainty myself now, I can definitely say that what is most frightening and anxiety inducing is not knowing what is to come, or the fact that our lives can actually change in a split second. What we tend to neglect is the very fact that our everyday unsung heroes are humans who have chosen to dedicate their lives to a sense of duty towards the rest of humanity – towards their country, and greater community. They are people who face the risk of the unknown almost on a daily basis, and continue to choose to do so everyday. They have some of the biggest hearts, and are the champions we never seem to recognize enough. They form their own group of #NeverForget regardless where we are in this world, and the next time we run across any of them – in the streets, in the hospitals, at the grocery stores – on or off duty, let us give them a smile. This show of kindness is enough to ease their day, and let them know that we appreciate them, and all that they do.
#NeverForget. Two words that when joined together gives a most powerful impact, and is one of the strongest triggers to any of us. Whatever it may bring about in your memory bank, I pray that you may have gained strength and resilience from these experiences.