The Day

Compassion. It's really an underestimated strength. But in the day-to-day work of teaching in a high school, it doesn't get the credit it deserves. On this day, in the middle of my sometimes-mundane activities, I was reminded of my memories of 'the day'. Serendipitously, I was teaching a lesson similar to the one I was covering on Tuesday, seven years ago. My mind exploded then, filled with a strange sense of historical obligation and emotional shock. How fare have we come? How have I changed? What have I learned? How can I get back the feeling of total and complete compassion for everyone in the world that I had on that day, in that moment? The dominoes have fallen. Cause and effect have left their mark on America's role in the world since 'the day'. I've changed too. I've found love. I am more complete and not as fearful of the future. I've stood taller, with a purpose that comes with age. But then again, I don't know if I fully understand more about the world, about myself or about the nature of that compassion that my world found when it needed it the most. Each day is another step. With my students, I think that there's an opportunity for my search to continue. Tomorrow will be September 12th. Everything changes, but nothing is ever truly lost.