If you are anything like me you can recall every detail of that day as if it were yesterday. For me, it was a typical Tuesday morning getting ready for work with CNN on in the background just to fill the empty space. I remember hearing the breaking report come through. I could hear the fear and tension in the voices of the reporters and echoing of fire engines drawing me to the living room. I was frozen in front of the television as I watched in complete disbelief. And, as the second plane swept into the tower, my knees hit the floor. I reached for my phone and dialed my ‘lifeline’ at the time. I could hear only the echo of the broadcast on the other end and then the soft mutter of his voice, ‘I love you’. There was nothing else to say. We both just wanted to feel connected beyond the horror of what our eyes could see…connected to something safe and real.

I know many of you can relate.

As painful as it is to recall the haunting images of that day, I believe it is necessary to reflect. It is a reminder of how we can come together in the midst of horrific tragedy. For some, it obviously goes beyond just watching it on the news clear across the country. Without diluting the devastating impact it had on those directly affected, I honestly believe that everyone of us Americans felt like it was happening to us — collectively.

Stories of heroes and lost lives emerged and we were united in grief. We shared the suffering of loss and sense of vulnerability like never before. Evidence of the human impact appeared in that day and in the days and weeks that followed. The pace of life had seemingly shifted. It felt as though we were moving through the days in slow motion, in a somber silence. We paused to allow space for others. We were quick to extend kindness to a stranger, speak a little softer, hug a little longer, love a little deeper and see each other through the eyes of compassion.

Although, I believe we have emerged stronger and more unified as a nation, I would like to remind us all to take some time today to pause and honor the nearly 3,000 lives that were lost and the countless lives that have been impacted from that one incident over a decade ago. And then, remember to…extend kindness to a stranger, speak a little softer, hug a little longer, love a little deeper and see each other through the eyes of compassion.

We are all we have.

Love,