9-11 is what we remember it as.

Most of the country was doing today roughly what they were doing 11 years ago on 9/11; starting their day at work, driving to school, doing their general routine in the house, etc.

But 11 years ago on today's date, my family and I were doing something much different than our general routine. We had congregated at my parents' home in Indiana to bury my grandfather, a veteran.

Some of our family

was driving in from Canada, some from Ohio, the Carolinas and Virginias, some from further away. The Canadians were stuck at the border for the day, and the horrors of the Nation seemed to take place outside of our more immediate circumstances; postponing the arrival of family members, complicating the funeral process, delaying the burial until later in the week.

It was a surreal blessing to be literally surrounded by family, all staying in one house.

I remember that night, looking up in the night sky with several of my cousins on the patio and realizing that this would probably be the only day any of us would or ever had seen the night sky with no planes at all.
Only Stars.

I remember that when we did have the funeral, later that week, EVERY SINGLE CAR on both sides of the road pulled over for the funeral procession as we passed; the drivers' awareness having been heightened by the events of the week.

Most people remember the events that occurred in New York, PA, and the Pentagon today.

I mostly remember the blessings of my extended family...

And I thank God for each and every one of them.