My 9/11 Birthday
My birthday is September 11. I was born long before THE September 11, but since 2001 my birthday has been marked by the events of that day. My life has been marked, as all of ours were. I know a lot of people were touched far more deeply than I was. But there is a strange...something...that happens when your birthday is 9/11. The day that had always been used to celebrate my life is also now a day where we remember death and great loss. It's sobering. I wake up in the morning to lovely texts and Facebook messages from friends near and far. And I'm also confronted by photos of planes going into the WTC. I feel protective of my birthday. Ever since 9/11/01, I have planned birthday parties for myself every year. I think I am trying so hard to remind myself that I can celebrate my birthday. I should celebrate my birthday. I try to remember it is ok to feel joy and happiness on a day when others are grieving. I was driving to work on my birthday this year, and it was ove