As I sit here at my computer, enjoying the end of a much-needed rainy day, my thoughts turn to the picture perfect day that turned out to be one of the most tragic days in our lives, 9/11.

It seems almost inconsiderate to mention how beautifully 9/11/2001 began. I was living in a duplex at that time and my bedroom window was positioned in such a way that it gave me a wonderful view of the sunrise. I only had to open one eye to see the bright orange ball slowly lift up beyond the daybreak. That September morning featured a bright, clear, blue day and a glorious sunrise.

I remember every aspect of that morning perfectly, as most people do. Instead of waking up and tuning into Matt and Katie playfully banter about current issues, I focused my energy on sending out resumes. I was unemployed at the time. I was frustrated at my slow computer and almost ignored the telephone because I was in no mood to be chatty. I picked up the phone on the final ring. It was my mother and she was frantic. She said something about terrorists, a bomb, a plane and attacks. I dropped the phone and ran to turn on the television. I don’t think I turned off the television for about two weeks.

I started watching the TODAY Show right before the second plane crashed into the tower. It was unbelievable. Watching the events unfold and getting snippets of information here and there was surreal. What was happening? None of it made sense. When the first building unexpectedly collapsed, I felt as if I were watching a special effect in a movie. It wasn’t real. It couldn’t be. Were there people in that building? No…I’m sure they all escaped. It’s funny how your mind works when something like that happens. Denial seems to be the first emotion. No, this can’t be…

As the reality set in and I began to realize what was happening, it was like all of the air was suddenly sucked out of the room. I sat in front of the television for hours, glued to every shred of every detail. I called relatives and friends along the way for comfort. And then the tears began to fall.

I will never forget the stories. The firemen who rushed up the stairs bravely as people ran down them to safety. The helpless people in wheelchairs who were stranded in the stairwells, waiting for a stranger to help. The people who had to jump or be engulfed by flames. The people who could not escape. I cried and cried for them and their families. Each story was more heartbreaking than the next. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, children, friends and co-workers. Nobody was safe and everyone was affected.

We lost more than loved ones that fateful day. We lost our security and the peace of mind we felt in our day-to-day lives. City skylines we once marveled at became terrifying, airports became targets and we were all scared to live our lives. We were all thrust, unwillingly, into a harsh new reality and it was shocking and scary. Yet, a funny thing happened for days, weeks and even months after 9/11. We found comfort in each other and a nation united.

We rallied to find strength, hope and fight for our freedom. Maybe it was getting a red, white and blue bumper sticker or being nice to our neighbors, but we all tried a little harder to be better people. We were sad, hurt, horrified and broken, but we persevered. I’d like to think that is the silver lining in all of this. Those events, no matter how unnecessary and cruel, united a divided nation. Even if it was fleeting, that’s no small feat.

I hope everyone tries to revisit those feelings of unity tomorrow as we mourn. My thoughts and prayers are with every family, friend and colleague who lost someone special that day. It is a day I will always remember and hope none of us ever forget.