Today’s date is one few will ever forget. 9/11 is a seminal date, like April 19th, December 7th, and I’m sure each of us carry personal moments of “I’ll never forget” like May 3rd for me.

It’s been sixteen years since the World Trade Towers came down. I starkly remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I heard on the news about the first plane. I can detail that day just like it was yesterday. The same for April 19th. I’m old, but not enough to remember December 7th though as a history major, with parents who lived through it…so yeah.

With Irma impacting Florida–and I do hope everyone is safe!–the news has been focused there, until I woke up this morning to the reading of the names at the Memorial in New York City. I’ve been there. It’s a powerful place.

Normally, I’d probably wax philosophical but not today. Emotions are bubbling too close to the surface and I’d begin to lecture rather than muse and today is not that day. Not that my lectures would do any good given the climate in society today. I’m simply sum up by saying this. I’m old. I’ve lived a shit-load of history in my life. I’ve seen all the evil, hate, and misguided vitriol I care to in my life. Don’t make us live through another Harvey, Irma, 9/11, or April 19th to discover that we really can all get along.

Peace.