Pausing to Remember 9/11

How true is it that we remember moments? While I remember the date, 9/11/01– we all do!–it’s the moment that I’ll never forget.

I kissed my three daughters goodbye as I left them in the gym’s babysitting room, and I headed up to the aerobics room to teach my 9:15 step class. My oldest daughter was five–an afternoon kindergartner– and I did not know yet that I was pregnant with my fourth daughter. Just before class started, club members and I stood in front of the lobby’s television, horrified as events took place on the screen in front of us. Some moments we never forget.

We, at Two Writing Teachers, pause today to remember all the lives that were lost and the heroes who gave their all in trying to save others. Since tomorrow is a Slice of Life Tuesday, our post about 9/11 is published today.

In 2016, Kathleen referenced Fred Rogers who stressed the importance of looking for helpers. You can watch his 58 second video here. I have to say, I really miss Mr. Rogers.

If you are looking for ways to mark this day with your students, please visit Stacey Shubitz’s post she wrote on the 15th anniversary of 9/11. She has curated many picture books, chapter books, videos, and activities about 9/11. I would add one more, and that is Kerry O’Malley Cerra’s chapter book Just a Drop of Water.  I highly recommend it for upper elementary students.

While every day is an opportunity to practice kindness, put our arms around the people we love, and cherish all that is good in our lives, perhaps today is an especially good day to remember the importance of doing those things.

Peace to all of you.