The Malaise of 9/11

September used to be a beautiful month for me. I loved going back to school, having usually grown bored of summer life around the middle of August. Once out of school I came to see September as the time when I got relief from heat and could enjoy the outdoors without sweating to death. Of course, September was also the start of the fall television season, and back when we just had three networks which produced new shows, the chance to watch something other than reruns was big doings. September also held my two sister’s birthdays so the we’re always parties to throw, and cake.
Then sixteen years ago September changed. This day, in 2001 was the loss of innocence in America. Nothing would ever be the same. We would fear “the other” in away that brings nothing good. It allowed us to hate openly, when we had been making such progress with love. We had to face the fact that others hated us, and did it so deeply.
Now on 9/11 we memorialize those who were lost, but mostly I go around with a pit in my stomach missing the September of my childhood. This year, to top off the sadness of this day, we add the devastation of another hurricane and the giant recovery needed not just for our country, but of the Caribbean Islands too.
All I hope for this world is peace and love. It seems we are further from getting that than ever, as countries become more insular. I have no answers, except the suggestion that everyone be slightly more forgiving and a little bit kinder. Perhaps the malaise is a good reminder that there is much work to be done to heal the world.