10 years...

If you're like me, you stop what you're doing every year on September 11, and think about the events that occurred 10 years ago (obviously never being fully able to really comprehend the magnitude of it). 

10 YEARS. 

Wow.

I always think about where I was and what I was doing on that day in 2001.

I'm generally glued to my TV every 9/11 rewatching video footage I've seen a hundred times.  Again--still being unable to truly comprehend how and why something like that really happened.  The bravery of the citizens in this country still amazes me.

It's unbelievable to think that my 2nd graders this year weren't even born when the events of 9/11 occurred.  While I didn't want to scare my students, I did want them to know and have somewhat of an understanding about this historical event.  I spent some time thinking about how I could introduce this topic to my students.

Fortunately, my school is having our annual book fair, and while browsing (& trying to refrain from spending $200 on children's books!), I came across this book:

"September 12th: We Knew Everything Would Be All Right"

I took it off the shelf, read it, and teared up immediately.   It was written and illustrated by 1st graders, so it's written in a way that my 7 & 8 year olds can understand.  It's such a fabulous book, and if you're a teacher or a parent, I highly recommend you purchasing it!  It 's a perfect way to explain to children what happened on that fateful day, and explaining to them that unfortunately bad things do happen sometimes, tomorrow always brings a new day!  (A children's book with adult-like lessons!).

One of my favorite radio stations, KLove, is encouraging listeners to make a promise to bless and love others today to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11/01. 

I'm in.  Are you?

"Now, we have inscribed a new memory alongside those others. It’s a memory of tragedy and shock, of loss and mourning. But not only of loss and mourning. It’s also a memory of bravery and self-sacrifice, and the love that lays down its life for a friend–even a friend whose name it never knew."

-George W. Bush

God bless this great country!