nulifeonline.com

September 11th, 2001.......Woke up earlier then usual (used to work 4-midnight in law enforcement) and saw everything change.

September 11, 2011.....I sit.....in my 'single-bedroom apartment' in southern california, wondering where the decade went.

Things change...people change...the country has changed...I have changed.

Life seems so different to me now.  I wonder about what could have been.  What if my family never moved out of New York when I was 12? I think about my childhood dreams, filled with high self expectations, riches, success, or simply a life of serving the community that may have led me to the NYPD, or maybe even the FDNY.  After all, it was a different way of life in my childhood in New York.  Seems like a logical step to take...to be a family man.....to be a provider...to make a difference.

But life always has something else in store for you.  And so......10 years ago today......I was nowhere near the twin towers.  I found myself about 1200 miles away....still wearing a uniform....but with a different perspective on everything.

What have we all learned since that day?  Did we strengthen? Did we succeed?  Did we rebuild?  What does that even mean......rebuild?  What constitutes a true rebuilding?  

Its now 2011, and i personally have gone from home ownership to an apartment in the valley (in Los Angeles).  How did I even get here?  How did any of us end up where we are today?  Was it by chance? Was it God's will?  Was it meant to be?

All I know is this.....My success, failures, accomplishments, and defeats will never compare to the bravery, heroism, and sacrifice that found its way into the big apple 10 years ago.

We will always be a country, community, and people of change.  And as we come upon another election year, filled with arguments, complaints, and politician bashing, I hope we all come to realize what really matters.  What matters, is what occurred on this day 10 years ago.  What matters is who HELPED who, who LOOKED after who, and who DIED for US......a city of people.....a state....a country of individuals......all hoping we have another 10 years to make all our dreams come true......and all hoping that the sacrifices of others will never be forgotten.

WHATAYATHINKATHAT?