15 years.

Today, I want to take a few moments (hours) to remember the tragedy that changed the face of America and the world forever: September 11. I cannot believe it has been 15 years already. But no matter how much time goes, I think we all remember where we were and what we were doing when we heard the news. I was a full-time college student at the time and was working as a hostess part-time at a fine dining restaurant. I was indeed hosting (at work) that black Friday of September 11. I had on a Little Black Dress by Express, which ended up being a metaphor for what would later happen. In my way of clothing, I was mourning. 

The TVs at the bar of the restaurant were all turned on at, some on CNN and some on the local stations like ABC. We had a lot of regular customers who dined at the bar daily and all of their jaws dropped, as did mine, the bartender's and all staff members. I noticed that several people started calling their loved ones. Some of them called to ask them if they heard the news, some called to simply ask how they were, some called to say "I love you" and some perhaps called their relatives and friends in New York or DC. The weather was beautiful and pretty warm outside but later that day it did rain. Michigan was mourning with the rest of the country for this huge loss and for those thousands of innocent lives lost from what is known as the most despicable, most hatred, most senseless crime in the history of USA. 

I was not an American citizen at the time but the news shocked me to the core. I lived in America, I worked and studied here, I paid taxes here and I would become an US citizen soon. This news affected me and it touched my human heart. I went home later that day and cried, cried a bit, as I was still watching the news and trying to make sense of it all. I remember my boyfriend (at the time) called me a few times to check up on me. We were both trying to find the words to comprehend what had just transpired but silence took the place of our words because how does one understand what happened on September 11, 2001 - they don't.

United States and New York has changed a lot 15 years later. This country has stood together even stronger. The patriotism that characterizes the American people is unlike any other people in the world. And they should be proud, they should feel happy and lucky. They/we live in the best country in the world and no matter what happens, America will stay united. I am so very proud to call America my second home. I am proud to be an American!

I also recognized the 15th anniversary of September 11th, on my Facebook a little bit earlier today, and posted this amazing photo of the ever-amazing and beautiful Mount Rushmore, as my cover photo. This photo to me symbolizes freedom, the pursuit of happiness, the American dream and the rich history of the United States. Mount Rushmore to me symbolizes USA so I wanted to end this post with this beautiful cornerstone of America. 

God Bless America!!