Every patriotic holiday I have a tradition of wearing a neck tie that closely resembles the one pictured here.  Today people who saw me wear it were saying in various phrasing, “Thank you for remembering.”  That response surprised me because the attacks 13 years ago are still very vivid in my memory and like most other Americans my life has been affected by the security precautions that now exist in our post 911 world.

Their responses reminded me that there is power in showing others that you remember.  First it says they are not alone in remembering.  Second it says the event is or was important to you just like was to them. Third it opens the door for a conversation, and often those conversations help us process our emotions.

Again I was reminded that even 13 years later emotions still run very high about 9/11/2001 and the events that have followed since then.  Yes I remember and, yes I am willing to discuss it with anyone who desires to.