Life and all its meanings..

I have to say that I am thankful that I am an American.. How easy it could have been for me to be born some where else in this gigantic world.. I have never been prouder to be what I am. This experience has given me the appreciation for my country that I never knew I could have.. That being said I want to take a moment to talk about September 11th and what it means to me, my life and the future..

10 years ago I was in 7th grade.. Its hard to believe it was really that long ago.. I can remember leaving math class when the teacher turned on the tv and I saw some buildings in some city with smoke.. I walked back to my classroom not really thinking about what I saw.. On the p.a. system they only announced that something was wrong after the second building was hit.. And of course what they told us was extremely vague.. Who wants to frighten an elementary school? Some parents pulled their children out of school but other wise the day continued as normal. When my sister and I got off the bus we saw that our dad was home which was weird. Our mom and dad gave us big hugs and we moved to the family room to watch what had happened while we were at school.. Its amazing what a sight like that does.. Its so hard to believe that someone out there hated America so much that he could cause all this damage and destruction.. When your young you like to believe that nothing scary exists and nothing like this could happen.. But it did.. and it changed everything.. We found out later on that one of the flights turned around really close to Cleveland and that they evacuated the city shortly after.. This hit home because my dad was still working in Cleveland at the time and really.. anything could have happened..

As things unfolded and we learned more I think out nation grew together a little bit.. It was nice to see the red, white and blue out at a time when it normally wasnt so prevelant.. and then shortly after we went to war.. Its weird that the wars we have been fighting have stemmed from this conflict but I can remember hearing the report of the first troops entering Afghanistan and every night dedicated to what was happening overseas.. While war is not spectacular and is not something that any generation should be happy about it made me proud of all the men and women who were fighting for their country and those who died on 9/11.. While things may have changed over the last 10 years I believe that the war, while drawn out, has had its positives.. But enough about war and politics..

And now 10 years later..

So much has changed and yet at the same time.. Nothing has.. Sometimes I feel like we dont pride ourselves in being American anymore.. Coming to a country in which people are so proud to be who they are has really opened my eyes.. I think too many people concentrate on the bad things so often that they forget what the country was built on and what America stands for.. Thus far in my experience I have not had a negative comment said to me when I say that I am an American.. If anything people are happy to see me and make comments about how they would love to go to America.. America, with all its faults and flaws, still holds appeals for those in other countries.. We are still the famous melting pot.. we are still something to be proud about.. we are still America no matter what the world looks like..I think more people need to remember and know what it is to be American..

and I cant say that I dont forget time to time where I am and where Im from.. It took me coming to another country to live to realize how much I love my country.. and for all its faults and politics that drive me crazy! I wouldnt want to live anywhere else..

All n all.. Im proud to be an American.. Let us never forget what happened but lets not dwell on the negatives.. It pulled us together, albeit for a short period of time, but if we could just remember the feeling and pride of who we are.. I think our country could pull together and become strong again..

I am a patriot and I love my country no matter its flaws.. I am proud to be an American.

Love you all so very much :)