As I can remember, September 11th, 2001 was a normal day. It was the beginning of first grade at P.S.52. My mom was at home watching my younger brother and sister who were at the time too young to even speak. All was normal that morning, until about 8:45am. For the first time in my life, I felt time stop.

Dear First Grader Danyelle,

This is going to be a very tough day for you. Your dad, who is becoming a fireman (not yet there) is going to be selfless and get on a ferry to help save lives at ground zero. Your mom, at home with the babies, is going to be helpless, weeping over the safety of daddy. But do not worry, everything will be okay. You are going to see this, and you are going to remember it very vividly and clearly, but don't worry, your family and nation are going to recover.

This is a big tragedy, and I know you are going to take some time to understand it, but it's okay to be confused right now- half of the people around you don't know what's going on. The good thing is school will be dismissed for about a week. So that means more TV and snack time!

I know this is hard to understand, but a lot of people will pass away today. What happened was very bad people took over some planes and crashed them into buildings. A lot of people will die today, and everyone around the globe is going to feel it. This is going to be the biggest tragedy the United States has ever seen on our land, and you will have lived through it to tell your children about it.

Many brave men and women are going to risk their lives to save other people today; New York is going to unite no matter what race and ethnicity they are from. People are going to reach out a helping hand to strangers, friends and family. You will not remember the time surrounding 9/11 but just know that people were there for one another, that New York came together in a time of need and despair.

You will look back and remember how confused you were that day, and at how kids were rapidly being pulled from your class, but you didn't know why. You will remember your teacher crying at the front of the classroom and how much you wanted to give her a hug. Her brother was in the first tower. You will remember how your mom came to school in her PJ's just to bring you home so she can make sure you're okay. The days were blurry, but this one will stand ever clear.

You will become older, smarter and more cognizant of the world you live in and realize what a travesty that day was. You reminisce with friends and family and will share stories about the horrible ways people had to go to heaven, and you will feel it. You will feel the sadness each year but that's okay. What I want to say most to my first-grade self is that you CAN and WILL make a difference in the world. Fight for what you feel is right and be the change you wish to see in the world. Maybe you can help facilitate world peace.

I know you will learn to cherish the safety of your life and all the people who make your life as safe as possible.

Live fearlessly and be well,

Danyelle