The temperature had started dropping, signaling the impending New York winter season. Surprisingly, this chilly weather brought a bit of relief, as it helped mask the lingering foul odor that had plagued us for weeks. My throat felt raw, and no amount of liquids could soothe it. Even my breath had acquired an unsettling wheeziness with each gasp. I was perpetually tired, and unwell, and my focus had dwindled to an all-time low. A month had passed, the city was gradually returning to normalcy, and the urgency to prove our resilience was evident. Security measures were at their peak, and a sense of something significant was in the air.
I vividly recall the evening of October 7th as I made my way home from Ground Zero. A crowd had gathered around a radio, broadcasting President Bush's speech, in which he announced an attack on Afghanistan, believed to be the epicenter of the terrorists responsible for the 9/11 attacks. Like many others, I felt a strange mix of relief and fear. Relief that our country was responding to defend itself, and fear of the unknown nation we were about to confront. The complexity and necessity of this action were not lost on me. It was clear that our focus had shifted to the war and securing our nation. The talk shows and news were rife with reports of terrorist infiltration, even within our borders. People became suspicious of anyone who appeared to be of a certain origin.
My primary concern was to shield my young children from the horrors that were happening both locally and globally. I urged my wife to ensure that they only watched their favorite shows, sparing them the grim realities. I stand in solidarity with all those who sacrificed themselves to defend our nation during this critical time and safeguard our liberties. The world changed irrevocably on that fateful September 11, 2001. Twenty-two years have passed, and while we've managed to prevent some potential tragedies, the looming threat of terror has sadly become a part of our daily lives. It's not the terrorists themselves, but the constant specter of terror that now haunts our existence.
I worry about my children, growing up in a world where these concerns are their daily reality. At their age, I didn't have to bear the weight of such worries, but I do now. The world made a 360-degree turn on that September day, and this new way of life has firmly entrenched itself in our society. Denying it would be as tragic as the events of 9/11.
Feel free to join my blog at gigmiraglia.com; it's completely free. Also, watch for my upcoming book, 'That Night,' set to be released in November 2023. It's a story derived from my previous book, 'The Glass Tower.' I want to express my gratitude for your unwavering support. Until next time, stay safe.
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