Letter: Column reminds us to always remember and honor those lost

Thanks to Andrea Joseph for sharing the column entitled,
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This ‘n’ that: 9/11 first major event in journalism career.
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Dear Editor,
Thanks to Andrea Joseph for sharing the column entitled, “This ‘n’ that: 9/11 first major event in journalism career.”
I appreciated her sensitivity as a reporter to honor the men and women, families, and children who lost their lives and loved ones a decade ago. This is a day our country will always mourn and remember.
In retrospect, one can never forget the day of September 11, 2011, especially the aftermath of this horrific and tragic disaster that involved many hours, days, weeks, months, years, and many thousands of helping hands to restore the city of Manhattan, New York to a functional community again. Of course, there are some things that will never return to what once remained; that being peoples’ lives and lost loved ones.
Undoubtedly, this horrific event continues to touch us, shape our views about the world around us and even how we experience life’s special moments such as birthdays and wedding anniversaries.
Since our country experienced this unfortunate tragedy, my life’s view about these September celebrations is valued more than ever before. Each year that I approach a new birth year in early September, which is just a few days prior to 9/11, I’m not only grateful that I have my family and friends present on earth to share celebrations with and am alive but also am saddened by the devastating thought that there were those who will miss out on joyous occasions due to the 9/11 event.
Sure life goes on following a tragedy and so do celebrations. However, healing takes time to mend people and hearts. Personally, an event like 9/11 will always spurt a chill down my spine or stir emotions about people who lost their lives to tragedy and who will never see or talk to their loved one again.
However, on a positive note, much can be learned from this date. As a people, we need not see events as 9/11 from a bird’s eye view, but rather as involved communities working together to restore the balance of health in all needing help.
Every September, I’m thinking that we may want to be mindful and reflect upon the simple blessings in life: family and friends – love, treasure, honor, and value them everyday; time – never pass up an opportunity to spend with family and friends to be together for small or large gatherings; and grace – grace of knowing that they and you are loved each September and throughout the year.
Let’s continue to remember those in 9/11 and include them during our celebrations too.
Darlene Miller, Gilroy
The Golden Quill is awarded occasionally for a well-written letter.