Appreciate What You Have (Before It Becomes What You Had)

9/11/2019

“What separates us from the animals, what separates us from the chaos, is our ability to mourn people we’ve never met.”
-David Levithan

Read this article and respond to the following prompt.

These teenagers are about your age. Try to put yourself in their shoes. How might you feel? Do their stories make you appreciate what you have? Do they change your perception of 9/11?

72 Comments

Olivia

9/11/2019 01:17:47 pm

In a way I feel understanding, because I wasn’t born into this world with a physical father figure. In another way I can be sympathetic because if I was in the same situation I would have a hard time dealing with the fact that I had never met my father and that he died under bad circumstances. I realize that I currently have both parents there now and I appreciate that. It doesn’t change the view that I have of 9/11 though, because I already had the world view that all of those people that died had family or people that cared about them, and so many people sufferered and grieved.

Kendra

9/11/2019 01:21:23 pm

I sympathize with the kids that lost their fathers in the attack as well.

Sienna

9/11/2019 01:22:44 pm

Agreed, my perception is the same but it is extremely hard living without a true father figure or mother for that matter.

Madeline

9/11/2019 01:26:33 pm

That was very well put and I like that you already had a very good perspective.

Kendra

9/11/2019 01:19:27 pm

I can’t imagine my life without my dad. I appreciate my dad so much and I feel so sad for all the kids who lost their fathers and I feel bad for anyone who lost someone in the attack. I always thought 9/11 was bad but I have never really thought about what it be like to lose I love that way.

Olivia

9/11/2019 01:20:41 pm

That’s a good outlook, I really agree.

Eliza

9/11/2019 01:21:13 pm

It is cool to look at it in others point of view.

Sienna

9/11/2019 01:19:36 pm

I would be distraught if this had happened in my life. The stories do make me appreciate my luck in not being involved or injured in any accidents that have happened recently. My perception of 9/11 stays relatively unchanged however.

Olivia

9/11/2019 01:21:42 pm

Your lovely companion would be distraught as well.

Nathan

9/11/2019 01:30:07 pm

Your right it does make me think how lucky I am.

Myah

9/11/2019 01:30:27 pm

I would also feel really lucky as well.

Megan

9/11/2019 01:19:42 pm

If my dad died in 9/11 even though I would be sad depending on the circumstances I might be proud if he died helping others. These stories do make me appreciate what I have. It did change my perspective because I never thought of it in a way of the family’s of the people who died.

Ady

9/11/2019 01:24:55 pm

I’d be in the same boat if my farther died, I wouldn’t know whether to be proud or distraught.

Beth

9/11/2019 01:25:10 pm

I think I would be proud as of my dad as well.

Jaylee

9/11/2019 01:28:59 pm

These stories help me appreciate what I have as well.

Ele

9/11/2019 01:30:42 pm

Yes, it helped me gain a perspective on a families view also. I really liked how you said that.

Eliza

9/11/2019 01:19:42 pm

I am so thankful for what i have! In Washington DC I went to a place and they told about it..... it was so amazing to see how brave the people were.

Olivia

9/11/2019 01:23:17 pm

It really is amazing to hear brave people talking about a past trauma.

Erik

9/11/2019 01:24:23 pm

That is cool that you got to go see the memorial.

Trishelle

9/11/2019 01:24:37 pm

Do you remember where you were in DC when they told you about it?

Jonah

9/11/2019 01:27:16 pm

I didn’t go there when we were in DC. Sounds cool, where was it?

Ele

9/11/2019 01:28:21 pm

That is so cool, that would be a very warming experience.

Erik

9/11/2019 01:20:58 pm

If I was a person who lost family in the 9/11 attack I would be angry at the people who orchestrated the attack. These stories help me appreciate what I have more. And they do change my perception of 9/11.

Kendra

9/11/2019 01:22:39 pm

I also think it would be so hard to forgive the attackers.

Dakota James

9/11/2019 01:24:54 pm

I agree, I would be extremely upset with the people that planned this attack and hope they suffer from it as much as the people they hurt did.

Jonah

9/11/2019 01:25:23 pm

I don’t know if I could forgive them either. EVen if it’s the right thing to do.

Nathan

9/11/2019 01:28:34 pm

I agree it does change my perspective on 911

Tyler Hilton

9/11/2019 01:29:33 pm

It would be very hard

Dakota James

9/11/2019 01:21:31 pm

If my dad was killed in 9/11 I couldn’t imagine how my life would have been changed. I am so glad my dad is here with me today to help me through my life as he lives his. This made me really think about how many people’s whole world was changed by this terrorist attack and not just the people who lost their lives.

Carson

9/11/2019 01:22:51 pm

Yea you can definitely see how it effected not just the victims of 9/11 but there families and the country of a whole.

Eliza

9/11/2019 01:22:56 pm

I agree with you, we have no clue how different it could be.

Madeline

9/11/2019 01:30:19 pm

I couldn’t imagine my life without my dad either and I agree with thinking not only about the people who died but also the people whose world was turned upside down.

Carson

9/11/2019 01:21:37 pm

I can’t even begin to comprehend the pain these kids went through. To grow up without a dad to teach you how to become the man or woman you want to be would be difficult. The facts that they lost their dads because of this tragedy really opens my eyes to the horrors of 9/11 and how it effected this country.

Dakota James

9/11/2019 01:26:16 pm

I strongly agree with your point of view and what it means to not have a father due to such a tragic event.

Lizzie

9/11/2019 01:27:00 pm

I agree that it would be very hard not to have your dad to help shape you.

Jonah kid

9/11/2019 01:21:52 pm

I would be proud of the parents I had who sacrificed their lives, just like they are. I am glad I have the chance to live knowing my parents and grandparents, And not just being told about them. They said never forget 9/11, but look how broken our country has become just 18 years later.

Carson

9/11/2019 01:25:31 pm

Yea I would also be very proud of my mom or dad if the lost their lives risking everything for other people.

Erik

9/11/2019 01:27:23 pm

I also am glad to know my parents and grandparents.

Tyler Hilton

9/11/2019 01:30:37 pm

I think that’s a good way of putting it

Trishelle

9/11/2019 01:21:58 pm

I can’t imagine losing a family member in such a tragedy. I don’t know what I would do, I’d be literally broken if I had to grow up without knowing one of my parents or without them being there for every life changing event that happens to me.

Ady

9/11/2019 01:25:40 pm

I’d be heartbroken too if I lost someone I cared about.

Jaylee

9/11/2019 01:26:04 pm

I to don’t know how I could handle losing someone so close.

Keely

9/11/2019 01:22:32 pm

If I knew my dad died before I was born I would be really sad. The fact that I would never be able to meet him would make me depressed. Looking at those stories makes me appreciate the service that was given. Thinking about 9/11 now I will keep in mind those who are remembering their loved ones.

Beth

9/11/2019 01:26:21 pm

It’s heartbreaking to think about loosing a loved one.

Lizzie

9/11/2019 01:27:55 pm

I think you’re right that it is important to always appreciate the service that is given and was given.

Ady

9/11/2019 01:22:39 pm

Personally I have never thought about the children of the people who gave there lives to helping the people in the towns on 9\11. If I was in there shoes I would definitely have a more personal relation for those who risk everything for the good of our country, reading this article has re opened my eyes to the hard times the families have gone through since then.

Keely

9/11/2019 01:25:16 pm

Yes it opened my eyes more as well

Janessa

9/11/2019 01:29:25 pm

I think if I was in this situation I would also have lots of respect for people who risk their lives for others and try to be more like them, too.

Janessa

9/11/2019 01:22:39 pm

These kids didn’t get to meet their fathers. I don’t know what situation would be worse: to not know someone before they died, or to have that relationship with them and to lose them. With the second option, I think you could still be strong because you’d always have the memory of that person.

Sienna

9/11/2019 01:25:31 pm

Definitely sad to think that the mothers and fathers knew their spouse but they were taken away by this tragedy.

Myah

9/11/2019 01:27:30 pm

You’re right I don’t know which would be harder either.

Cade

9/11/2019 01:29:52 pm

I agree that we don't know which would be worse, not knowing them or having a relationship and losing it.

Myah

9/11/2019 01:23:44 pm

If my dad died during 9/11 I honestly don’t know how I’d feel. I love my dad a lot and I don’t know what it would be like without him. I wouldn’t have any of my siblings. I also probably wouldn’t ever feel the happiness and love my dad gives me. These stories have changed my perspective and made me appreciate him more than I already have. Before today I never even thought that there were teens who have lost their fathers to 9/11. This has changed my perspective to fell more compassionate about the people who lost their lives to it.

Janessa

9/11/2019 01:32:12 pm

I didn’t even think about how younger siblings would be affected. I think your life would be extremely different if you didn’t grow up with them.

Jaylee

9/11/2019 01:23:55 pm

If this were me I would feel saddened to have never met my father but to know that he either helped others and put them before himself I found feel proud. I would want to carry his legacy on and make him proud. I would feel the need to also live life to the fullest. I could not imagine what it was like to lose someone in such a disaster. To not know that whatever you said to them was the last and not getting to say goodbye

Trishelle

9/11/2019 01:27:36 pm

I think that is so thoughtful that you would carry his legacy if that were to happen to you And your family.

Boaz

9/11/2019 01:34:55 pm

Loosing a loved one usually creates a destructive feeling but I always admire those that can turn it into a constructive one

Beth

9/11/2019 01:24:04 pm

I can’t even imagine the trauma and sadness that these families experienced. This article really makes me appreciate my parents. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to be raised by both my parents. I had never thought about the fact that there were Fathers that left behind expectant wives. And that those children never met their parent.

Boaz

9/11/2019 01:31:11 pm

I totally forgot to even think about the the wives that were expecting, my focus was the children but you are totally right the wives must have been devastated.

Cade

9/11/2019 01:32:56 pm

I agree with being thankful for my parents, i can’t imagine only having one parent.

Madeline

9/11/2019 01:24:18 pm

If I was in one of these peoples place I can imagine that I would be proud of my dad for what he did when he was alive, but also sad that I wouldn’t have been able to meet him. These stories do make me appreciate what I have and they make me want to appreciate it more. These stories made 9/11 feel less like a story and they make it more real.

Cade

9/11/2019 01:24:44 pm

If I were one of the children of 9/11, I would feel as if there was an emptiness in my life. It would be as though there was supposed to be something there when it wasn’t. I would also feel very aware that the world isn’t always sunshine and rainbows.

Lizzie

9/11/2019 01:25:53 pm

I can only imagine how they feel having lost someone so close to them, the deep sadness they feel every time 9/11 rolls around each year. This would make me extremely sad but also proud. These stories make me appreciate that I still have my family members here with me and that I didn’t have to witness 9/11 when I was born. This definitely makes me change my perspective of 9/11 by really more understanding the families of 9/11 and what they go through each year.

Keely

9/11/2019 01:28:43 pm

Do you think you would be more sad or proud?

Boaz

9/11/2019 01:26:09 pm

I do not think that it is possible for me to imagine the extent of the pain that these people go through because I have always been fortunate enough to have good relationships with both of my parents. It makes me appreciate very much how very fortunate I am and it is also very humbling for me. When I think of 9/11 I don’t usually think of the effects it had on the families so this does make me think about the event on a much more real and heavy way.

Hailey

9/11/2019 01:30:14 pm

I never realized how much 9/11 still affects so many, so it definitely hits me harder as well.

Nathan

9/11/2019 01:26:26 pm

If someone in my my family died in 911 I would not understand how some would do something so horrible. I would want to help prevent anything else like that happening so no one would have to go through what I did. The stories helped me realize how strong we are as humans and how we can overcome horrible things.

Hailey

9/11/2019 01:31:04 pm

Losing a family member in 9/11 would make me really angry as well.

Ele

9/11/2019 01:26:41 pm

It is really hard for me to imagine my life without my parents, they do so much for me and they are my role models. These kids are really brave and strong, it would be very hard for me to lose my dad. I am so thankful for what I have. This helped me view 9/11 from a closer perspective.

Hailey

9/11/2019 01:28:15 pm

To be in these people’s shoes would be really difficult, because never getting to meet a parent would leave them with endless questions. But, none of them would have to question whether their mother or father was brave, courageous, or selfless, because they all were. Reading this article made me realize that 9/11 still affects the daily lives of so many, and makes me feel so grateful for my parents and my family.

Tyler hilton

9/11/2019 01:28:48 pm

I think it would be extremely hard to live without your dad especially if he died right before you were born. This definitely make me appreciate the dad I have and all he does for me. This did make me look at 9/11 a little differently.

Micah

9/14/2019 02:29:07 pm

I would feel angry at the world that my dad had to be taken from me. I would probably get over it but it would take time. Also I feel like it would take me a long time to forgive those who did it.
Their stories make me appreciate that I have two loving parents who are always there for me and support me in everything I do.
Before I read this article I’ve never really thought of the people’s families. I’ve only thought of 9/11 as a national tragedy. It’s more personal to me now. I think of those people’s families now.

Appreciate What You Have (Before It Becomes What You Had)

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