Throwback Thursday–9/11

Everyone remembers 9/11 differently.
When I woke up that morning I was horrified because I had my very first cross country meet. I was nervous, scared, anxious, and if I remember correctly, compiling a list of ways to get out of it because I was so terrified to race. I was worrying so much it was unhealthy. Looking back at it now I have no clue why I thought running that race was so terrifying. I guess because it was new, I was 14, I just started high school, and because I so badly wanted to be good at a sport.

I was in my 3rd period honors history class when I heard about what had happened. I didn’t know what to expect next. I assumed we would be leaving school early and I assumed everyone’s parents would be sent home from work early too. I was right. I also assumed that the cross country meet would be canceled. When the school closed and the meet was canceled being afraid to race seemed silly. I wasn’t even worried about racing anymore I was afraid and upset about what was happening all over the country.

It’s funny how something so small seems so big and then the world puts it into perspective for you. I was this tiny 14 year old who was afraid to run a 5k and then suddenly 9/11 happened and I realized how small and insignificant my worries were. I still think about this whenever I think I have a crisis. No matter what my problem is there is always something bigger going on in the world that can make me realize how foolish it is to worry.