I know exactly what I was doing when the towers and the Pentagon were hit, and when a plane went down in Pennsylvania after the passengers and crew stopped the hijackers. I know exactly what I was doing when I turned the tV on later that day and found out about it.

I was sleeping when the attack happened. I was vacuuming that afternoon when I turned the TV on and saw unreal images being played out of the mornings tragedies. I didn't know what I was looking at. I couldn't hear the voices on the TV because I was vacuuming and getting ready to let the birds out to play. I stopped the vacuum, turned the sound up... and learned about the thousands of lives lost.

After that, I think I went through the day in shock. I don't remember letting the birds out, but I did. I don't remember making their treats, but I did. I don't remember putting them to bed, but I did.

After that, as you all know, the tales of heroism and courage came forth. The country paused and cared. Canada took in refugees whose planes were forced to land there, fed and housed and comforted them. Americans were kinder to each other, for a while.


Every year, I watch the documentaries, listen to teh survivors' stories, listen to the stories of the heroes and the victims... And I remember the kindness that spread afterwards... at least for a while.