It hardly seems like 10 years since the hijacking of four planes and the attack of the World Trade Centres and the Pentagon. Yet 10 years later we remember 9/11.
There are many things that have occurred in the past 10 years; War in Afghanistan, war in Iraq, attacks in London, bombs in Bali, and the death of Osama Bin Laden which was a moment that many had been waiting for since the attacks. But the biggest change is the sense that none of us are safe. The attacks shook the world and the sense that we in western nations are safe is one that will probably never be regained fully.
I guess the one thing that really comes to mind at the moment when talking about that sense is a quote from Tomorrow, When The War Began by John Marsden
"But I've learnt something now. Corrie, we were still innocent. Right up to yesterday. We didn't believe in Santa Claus but we believed in other fantasies. You said it. You said the big one. We believed we were safe. That was the big fantasy. Now we know we're not, and like you said, we'll never feel safe again, and so it's bye-bye innocence. It's been nice knowing you, but you're gone now." (pg.107.)
It's definitely a changed world we live in now. I can't imagine what it is like for those who were born after the attacks on this day. They will forever share a joyous occasion with one of the most heinous acts. I can only hope that they will come to understand the whole story behind the date.
May all those who died in the attacks both directly and as a result of actions to help those in the attacked buildings be remembered. May the family's of those once again come to know joy and move on from this tragedy.
May we around the world remember and work towards a better and more peaceful world.
