15 years ago today, September 11, 2001, a lot of ordinary folks were going about their days.
Some had dates that evening. Others had to stop at the babysitters and pick up their children on the way home. Or maybe stop and shop for dinner, or pick up dry cleaning. Some might have planned to work late to finish a special project. All of them were just people like you and me, living their lives.
And, of course, that changed forever when the first plane exploded into the first tower. Thousands died that day. And the ones who didn't, still carry vivid memories of the trauma.
Most of us likely remember what we were doing when the news came in. I was getting ready to leave for work when a friend called. When he found out I didn't know what had happened he told me to turn on the television.
For most of us our view of the world changed that day, at least to some degree. I know mine did. Shocking attacks on innocent people are hard to erase from our memories - no matter where we were at the time.
I write about this today as a reminder that we should live our lives to the maximum. We should fulfill our dreams and not tell ourselves that "someday" we'll start that business we've dreamed about. Or maybe take up a new skill or hobby. Or go to school. Or perhaps spend more time on vacation.
If we're an addict, maybe we'll give some thought to rejoining the mainstream by getting sober and becoming part of the human race. Maybe realize that we're only half living, wasting time, when we're nodding out in a dope den. Or peeking out windows in a state of self-induced paranoia.
Our days are precious, and once used, they're only impressions on our neurons. The time we spent was either wasted or worthwhile or maybe somewhere in the middle.
For sure, many of those who fell on 9/11 had unfulfilled goals and dreams.
Their untimely, sudden deaths should remind us to not waste our precious time - the one thing we can't replace.
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