Two years ago, a terrorist attack of enormous magnitude struck New York City. Two years can be a tough time period to peg down.
Two years ago, I wasn’t even in school. Now, I’m planning the finishing stages of my degree. I feel as if I’ve been taking classes forever, but it’s been less than two years.
Two years ago, few people knew who Al Queda was. Now, Al Queda is known to every American. Overnight, just like that, they became a household name. Two years ago, our news was overrun with statistics of the number of murders and rapes that occurred that day. Now, the terrorists steal our attention with a new kind of crime. I never really imagined the threat from outside was greater than the threat we faced on America’s tough streets. Two years teaches you a lot.
Two years ago, my friend was working near Wall Street, taking the PATH into the World Trade Center every day. He ran out after the first plane struck. Today, he works in Short Hills for an insurance company. Two years can be a much welcomed blessing. New York has had two years to contemplate what happened on Sept. 11, 2001. Two tough years. Remember when you were younger and you were going through a tough time. Your mom told you to stick it out, that getting through whatever teenage worry you had would give you character. While I knew New Yorkers needed no more character than they already had, I’m happy to see that New Yorkers have shown a different side of their character since they endured the hardship of Sept. 11.
New Yorkers seems to have started treating each other better. It was evident immediately after the attack, and when the blackout hit the city.
I like to think New Yorkers realized that this is their city, and they have the power to make it what they want. They are not proud because they are able to survive the mean streets of NYC. They are proud because they live in one of the greatest cities in the world.
Sept. 11 will never be forgotten, but as the two years keep getting longer and longer, people will continue to heal. Individuals will grow, getting new jobs or making new friends. New York City will grow, pulling together and offering the world an even better city than before. Families of the victims will grow. A memorial will be erected, and, hopefully, the families will be able to heal their hearts a little more.
Sept. 11 will always be remembered. The victims will always be remembered. However, the spirit that New York City has displayed in the aftermath should never be forgotten. – Amanda Koch (The author is a frequent Current contributor.)