September 11, 2001, a day that will forever remain prominent in the history of our nation, as well as the world.
On September 11, 2001 I was simply a little 5-year-old girl that had a misconception on what constituted the term "evil." In my innocent mind, evil only existed within the bad guys in fairytales and the monsters that I listened about when my friends told spooky stories. However, on that grievous day, I learned the true definition of that word and in the most harsh way possible.
At the time, I was unaware of what was really going on in the world around me. Fifteen years later, and all I can recall from that day was that my mom got to come home from work earlier than usual. Little did I know that the lives of thousands of people would change drastically.
Being much wiser and less naive now than I was when 9/11 took place, I understand this tragedy to a deeper extent. Throughout the years, I have watched many documentaries and due to that have been able to learn so much about the horrific event that occurred within our country on that terrible day. Despite the videos I've seen and the stories I've heard that depicted this act of terrorism, nothing left more of a lasting impact on me than my recent visit to the 9/11 Memorial Museum.
The 9/11 Memorial Museum is a perfect way to honor those that were impacted by that fateful day because it incorporates everything- information, hope, heartbreak, and unity. As you walk around the museum, you are subject to graphic photographs of people jumping out of the Twin Towers as they choose to end their lives. When looking at these images, you literally feel an agonizing pain in your chest as you realize that the people in these pictures had to end their lives. Yes, they chose to jump rather than stay in the building but they were put into a predicament where they didn't really have any option. These images make one livid and somber as they realize how cruel 9/11 really was.
In one specific room in the museum, an automated voice discusses the personal lives of the individuals that died and shows pictures of them. This room makes visitors really understand that the victims of 9/11 were ordinary people working at their jobs and shared the same hopes, dreams and fears that all of us do. They were regular, innocent people placed in the most inhumane situation.
Although the museum literally breaks your heart, especially as you listen to the voicemails people left their loved ones and read newspaper headlines from that specific day, it also provides visitors with a lot of hope as well. As you walk around, you notice that this tragedy brought people closer to each other. Firefighters literally gave up their lives in order to save others. Children created pieces of art to show their love. The United States of America came together as our citizens strengthened and supported one another in attempts to recover from 9/11.
The 9/11 Memorial Museum, both heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time, is truly a remarkable and sentimental place for all. It is beautiful, somber and powerful. Just like I will never forget the feeling the 9/11 Memorial Museum provided me with, we will never forget those that lost their lives on that tragic day.
