My daughter Elle (9) and I took this photo last month.
She and I visited the 9/11 memorial on our 3 day trip to NYC.
Before we headed over, I sat with Elle to try and explain exactly what the memorial represented.
How thousands of innocent people were killed.
nearly 3,000
How Firefighters, policemen and civilians bravely risked their lives trying to get people out of the burning buildings.
So many of whom lost their own lives trying.
How the courageous passengers on Flight 93 overtook the plane from the Hijackers, avoiding hitting the Capitol Building.
But that they all died as they crashed into a field in Pennsylvania.
everyone single of them.
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Maybe Elle should have been told the details about September 11th, 2001 years ago, but as a Mom I try and shelter my children from anything scary.
I don’t want them to worry or to be fearful, as our daughters have so much fear as it is.
But Elle handled it like the big 9-year-old-girl she is.
She asked me some questions like “Mom, why would someone purposely fly into a building?”
“I hope they went to jail, did they??“
“why would they want to hurt so many people?”
“thousands all died ??”
I did my best to answer Elle’s questions, to explain what happened, but I found it very difficult.
I mean, I can’t even understand such a horrific, violent attack and total disregard for innocent human lives.
I just can’t wrap my head around such evil, how could I expect my nine year old to understand ??
We walked around in awe.
We read so many of the names etched into the walls surrounding the waterfalls.
A tribute to all of those who lost their lives.
Elle looked up at me and said “I’m so glad Dad wasn’t working in one of those buildings that day, aren’t you Mom?!?”
Yes Elle, I sure am.
My heart was heavy as we walked around ground zero.
I prayed for the victims and for their families.
It was so quiet, sad, surreal.
The waterfalls, representing where each Twin Tower stood, were just beautiful.
As sad and overwhelming as it was, the sound of the waterfalls seemed to bring some serenity, peace and healing.
NYC did such a wonderful job on the 9/11 tribute center.
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We will never forget what happened on September 11, 2001.
Never.
God bless all of those who lost their lives on 9.11.01 and for their families.
God bless America.
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Blessings,
It was hard for me to stay there knowing what happened and I’m not American… God bless all of you in this important day.
I write you tomorrow. Buenas noches.
Thanks Ana, love to you !! Buenas noches
Beautiful post!! I have a hard time finding the words to express to my fourth graders what happened regarding September 11th. I don’t want to say “too much” and want to respect what my students’ parents want to tell their children about the tragedy. Kudos to you for the way you explained it to Elle.
Thank you Caitlin. Yes, I know I didn’t want to say too much either…hard to explain, they are so young.