I will never forget that day, as long as I live. 24 years ago. I woke late in the afternoon, having slept all day as a result of a fitful restless night the night before.

I was vacuuming, cleaning up and setting up so I could let the birds out of their room to play and spend time with me. We were going to have a lazy afternoon and evening. I turned the Television on, but the sound was down because I was still vacuuming. I remember turning to look at it, and seeing the news and the video of the towers falling, and the aftermath.

I remember, at first I was confused. I thought it was maybe videos of the Oklahoma City bombing, or the news talking about a disaster movie coming out. I stopped vacuuming and turned the sound up on the Tv out of curiosity. And then, I heard them talking about the planes, the attacks, the twin towers, the Pentagon, flight 93...

I can't even describe the utter horror that settled in my stomach, mind, heart, and soul. I know each of you knows exactly that same horror, though.

Let us honor the dead, the survivors, the families, and this country by spending a day in peace, in reflection, and remembrance. Let this day be kind to us all, and may we all be kind this day.