It is a day no one will ever forget…American or not we became united in the horror and unbelievable reality of that day. It was my first year of teaching and I was so overwhelmed with all that entailed that I just prayed my little guys in Grade 3 were oblivious and didn’t know what happened because those were questions I just couldn’t answer.

However, on a positive note, we were witness to the strength of the people of the United States and I’ve always admired the American people’s tenacity to not give up OR give in. The country banded together and helped save as many people as possible and THAT is what should be remembered.

Terrorism is a funny thing (figuratively of course). The whole point is to change how people feel, to change how people behave, to make people afraid. That is why it is so important not to dwell on the negative, but to persevere with the positive. It doesn’t mean you forget, but it does mean you move on and you show your strength by carrying on as normally as possible so that the terror stops short of its goal.

I think they messed with the wrong country that day…Although their tactics worked temporarily, the strength of that country rose from the ashes and for that, I am proud to be their neighbour.

Shona xo