Remembering 9/11 – And the Spirit of 9/12
Remembering 9/11 – And the Spirit of 9/12
Twenty-four years have passed since the morning that changed everything. If you’re old enough to remember September 11, 2001, you can still recall every detail—the room you were in, the voice on the radio or TV, the disbelief that something so unthinkable could happen on American soil. The shock was heavy, the grief unbearable, and for a moment, the world felt fragile and uncertain.
But what I hold onto most isn’t just 9/11—it’s 9/12.
The day after tragedy, something remarkable took hold. American flags lined fences and porches. Strangers became neighbors. Neighbors became family. Churches overflowed, not out of obligation but out of a shared need for comfort. We weren’t arguing about politics or drawing lines in the sand—we were simply Americans. In the face of brokenness, we chose unity, compassion, and care for one another.
That spirit of 9/12 wasn’t scripted. No one told us to be kind or selfless. It was instinctive, a deep reminder that our shared humanity is more powerful than any label or disagreement. We checked in on the elderly couple down the street. We prayed for people we’d never met. We held the door, wrote the letter, made the call. We showed up.
Today, we live in a very turbulent world—killings dominate the headlines, wars rage across continents, and illness continues to steal loved ones too soon. It’s easy to feel numb, cynical, or divided. But this is exactly why we must stop and reflect on 9/12/2001. That day taught us that even in chaos, we can choose compassion. Even in anger, we can choose understanding. And even in loss, we can choose love.
Somewhere along the way, in the comfort of routine and the noise of division, that sense of togetherness has faded. We argue faster now. We isolate more. But remembering 9/11 isn’t only about lowering flags or reciting names—it’s about living out 9/12. It’s about putting down the phone, looking someone in the eyes, and choosing grace. It’s volunteering at the food pantry, listening instead of shouting, forgiving even when it’s hard.
Every year, I’m struck by how fragile life is and how strong we can be when we lean on one another. The heroes of that day weren’t just in uniform—though their bravery was unmatched—they were also the ordinary people who stepped up in extraordinary ways. The office worker guiding others down the stairwell. The passengers who fought back on Flight 93. The neighbor who showed up with food and a hug.
Today, as we honor the lives lost and the families forever changed, let’s also honor who we became on 9/12. Let’s be the people who lift one another up. Let’s remind the world that unity isn’t only born in tragedy—it can live in the everyday moments if we choose it.
Let’s carry the spirit of 9/12 forward: in the way we treat our coworkers, in how we handle disagreements, in the patience we offer a stranger. Because our greatest strength as a nation has never been our buildings, our politics, or our power—it has always been our hearts. And twenty-four years later, the world still needs that reminder.
Remember treat others with kindness and respect and have respect for yourself.
-Dr. Nick
