The Beauty That Still Remains

Today is a day of mourning and remembrance. It has been 19 years since the tragic event not just for our country but the entire world as well. The passage of time may have dulled the experiences that 9/11 has brought us, but there is no question that it has touched all of us in many profound ways. Some things are not meant to be forgotten, and in remembering do we get the means to move forward.

This entire year has been a time of grief and loss—lost lives, lost opportunities, lost milestones, lost memories, lost dreams. We are still facing an unprecedented crisis that is taking a huge toll on our society. Today may remind us of the horrors of that terrible day, but it also reminds us of the aftermath, the small acts of kindness in our communities, and the compassion that unified us even for a brief moment.

In the midst of all of this, we can find the beauty that remains. We must. And Anne Frank reminds us that we can.

“At such moments I don't think about all the misery, but about the beauty that still remains. This is where Mother and I differ greatly. Her advice in the face of melancholy is: 'Think about all the suffering in the world and be thankful you're not part of it.'

"My advice is: 'Go outside, to the country, enjoy the sun and all nature has to offer. Try to recapture the happiness within yourself and God; think of all the beauty in yourself and in everything around you and be happy.'

"I don't think Mother's advice can be right, because what are you supposed to do if you become part of the suffering? You'd be completely lost. On the contrary, beauty remains in the nature, sun, freedom and yourself. If you just look for it, you discover yourself and God, you will stand out.”

#NeverForget