I watched the second tower get hit with @AvgBayDad in the spare bedroom of my old house. He took me to preschool. Told Mrs. Ogle what was happening. I was picked up shortly after by my grandma and watched the news the rest of the day. (1/13) #NeverForget

I remember getting huge hugs from my classmates. I guess they saw what was on the news and assumed since I was late that I was there. Funny how a toddler’s brain works sometimes. (2/13)

It’s crazy what I remember. I was only 3 at the time. The pure trauma it brought me still impacts me today.

Everyone in America lost their innocence on Sept. 11, 2001.

My hometown was on high alert as Tinker AFB kept birds in the air all day... (3/13)

I remember hearing fighter jets make constant cycles as my grandparents house was in the flight path. The looks of worry, anger, hate, brokenness, fear, and hopelessness on my grandparents faces resonate with me more now that they have both passed... (4/13)

They knew that day that life changed forever. Their son(my uncle) would be shipped off to the desert and the next time they’d see him could be in a pine box draped in the Stars and Stripes. They knew a lot and tried to hide their emotions from me but the day was too painful(5/13)

I mentioned 9/11 still takes a toll on me since I watched it unfold as a toddler. For years (and sometimes still now) my mind plays tricks on me. My mind will picture one of the hijackers or Bin Laden in my dreams or even while I’m walking about...(6/13)

I freeze every time. I don’t know what to do. I know it’s in my head but it seems so real. I’ve gotten better over the years but I’ve never told anyone about them. As I grow older I realize the scope of the attacks not just physically but psychologically on everyone. (7/13)

Since it is #SuicidePreventionMonth: take the time to talk about your mental health. It’s important and it’s never stupid!

No one is invincible. Take care of yourself. You’re loved!

Not only the thoughts of terrorists being everywhere, but the thoughts of being in the towers or on the planes. They wreaked havoc on my mind for much of my childhood. Being exposed to documentaries,shows, retellings, etc. put my mind in a place that was unhealthy as a kid (8/13)

Idk if it was my way of sympathizing with the heroes of that awful day or if I was just trying to fully realize the scope of what had happened. Im better for it now because I understand it. So many in my generation don’t realize the power and weight of those 4 hours... (9/13)

And it hurts me to know that they may never understand the gravity. All they know is a post 9/11 world (to be fair I do too). The day must truly never be forgotten. The actions of those who gave their lives is what America is truly about. (10/13)

They didn’t do it for clout. They did it because it needed to be done and there were strangers that needed help. We’ve strayed from that mentality as a nation. (11/13)

So I ask you: What have you done to help a neighbor? A stranger?

In this god awful year, be a glimmer of light. Be a silver lining to someone’s darkest day. Be a true American.

Party lines do not define us. Our actions do. (12/13)

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading my rambling. I hope you can take something away from it. (13/13)