10 Years Later

September 11, 2001. I was sitting in Mr. Nyk's Spanish 2 class. The teacher from across the hall came into our room and told Mr. Nyk to turn on the tv; there was a plane crash in NYC. I was the aide for his class, so that meant it was pretty much a free period for me to just sit there and do nothing. The class was working in their workbooks and Mr. Nyk and I were watching the news. We watched for a long time, unsure of what was happening or what was about to happen. We were also unaware of the effect it would have on our country, our world.

School let out early that day. When I got home, my Mom and I watched the news for hours. We sat in silence, as we watched replays of the planes hitting the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. We heard the call from Todd Beamer on American Airlines, Flight 93. We felt so helpless.

It's been 10 years since that fateful day. Since then, I've seen friends join the military, I've seen friends go to war to protect our nation, I've seen friends say goodbye to their husbands and wives for months at a time, and I've had friends that have lost loved ones, all to protect me and you, and our freedom. For this, I say, "Thank you!" Sometimes, I wonder if I say it enough. I wonder if all the people fighting for our country, really know how much they are appreciated? I can only hope that they do.

My heart breaks for the people that died, that day, and it breaks for their families. My heart breaks for the people of this nation that are ungrateful, and those people that insist it was some sort of conspiracy. My heart breaks for the people that protest at military funerals and it breaks for the people who witness it.

I was proud to be an American before that day, but the sense of pride I feel now, is indescribable. I get goosebumps when I hear the National Anthem or see an American flag blowing in the breeze. The people of our country suffered a great loss that day, but we stood by one another and most importantly, we never lost faith. As Americans, we must never lose faith.

L.O.V.E.

Love. What is love? I've been asking myself that question for years now, and it seems I come up with new answers every day. But, talking to Javier, earlier today, reminded me what true love, really is.

Love is the that one person you can't live without. They can make you happy at the drop of a dime, or make you mad just the same. They are always there for you, no matter what and will never give up on you.... No matter how much you screw up. They believe in you.

Love is your family, and too often, we take this for granted. Love is looking into your child's eyes, hugging your mother, spending time with your siblings, listening to the stories your grandparents tell, (ya know, the one where they used to walk to school, uphill both ways!)

Love means, loving yourself. Too often, people hear all the negative things others say, instead of the positive. Be proud of who you are! This is one of my biggest downfalls. Sometimes it may seem difficult to look at the bright side, but trust me, it's so much more pleasant than the side that's not-so-bright!


Love is....
*happy, sad, scary, exhausting, passionate, crazy, sexy, cool, (Deeeeee!) stressful, painful, insightful, romantic, adorable and a slew of other adjectives that I just can't seem to come up with, at the moment.


Love is, Javier Rivera.
Love is, forever.