Fifteen years ago the United States of America was shocked and stunned by what happened on September 11, 2001. Still to this day, the morning of the horrible terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers haunt Americans everywhere. Now, I don't exactly remember where I was when the first plane hit, but I did ask my parents, "Do you remember where you were?" My mother told me we were at school, and when she heard the news, she pulled me and my siblings out of school. My father on the other hand actually saw the second plane hit live on national television, how awful was that image? Either way, my parents were just in shock by the acts of a terrorist group and what they did to an entire nation.

Flash forward to now, I can somewhat understand the aspects or reasons why this tragedy occurred. I won't get into a whole lot of specific details, but what really stuck with me when I learned about this even throughout the years is that over 400 of the victims were first responders, people who probably didn't think this kind of catastrophe would happen on that morning. Firefighters and police officers raced to the towers to try and save as many lives as possible, ultimately they couldn't save everyone as 2,973 people lost their lives. This world is extremely hectic and insane, and that there's no guarantee that tomorrow comes. I am very thankful that I was not in that situation, but how does one react when something like a terrorist attack happens? Or when workers in the building jumped to their deaths? I couldn't even imagine being in someone's shoes watching such a disaster. And let us not forget the third plane that landed in the Pentagon or the fourth one that landed in a field in Pennsylvania.

So how exactly did 9/11 impact me? Well, when this event happened, I viewed films and documentaries on 9/11 and took notice on how several people on the hijacked planes somehow called their loved ones to tell them that their plane was hijacked and was bound to their deaths, but what amazed me was at the end of every conversation, both loved ones said the three most powerful words anyone could hear, "I love you." I don't know about you, but that really hits home to me. All of my life my parents always tell me they love me when I leave to go wherever. I always thought it was annoying, but now at 20 years old, it all makes sense now. The reason why I say, "I love you," every time I leave my parents or siblings is because tomorrow may never come, just like what happened on that horrific morning 15 years ago. Really I am more than thankful that I am alive, my family is alive, and that my feet hit the ground today. God bless America, and "For God and Country, Geronimo is K.I.A," - U.S. Navy seal after successfully defeating Osama Bin Laden.