September morning

As I look out my window this morning, the day looks much like it did 11 years ago. The first hint of fall had just come to Birmingham and the sky was a brilliant blue. Everyone was breathing deeply and sighing after a long, hot summer.

After the planes hit, there was an eerie silence that settled like a blanket over the day. Everyone was at home. No cars on the streets, no planes in the air, malls closed, events cancelled. As I drove to the Smith's house that day, I kept thinking, "it's too pretty a day for something like this to happen." As opposed to an ugly day I suppose.

It took a long time for me to be able to read about 9/11 - the events, the terror, the collapse, the aftermath.

And it wasn't until just this year that I finally visited the World Trade Center site again.

The site is huge but I happened to land next to these names. The names of Ladder 61 heroes that did what they were trained to do without looking back.

They are sons, fathers, uncles, brothers and each name leaves behind someone that misses them.

So on this 9/11, that looks so similar to the other, think about the heroes. Their sacrifice. Their honor.

And be at peace.