dO yOu rEMeMbER?

I'm sitting at my desk today thinking about all the things that have happened in my lifetime. A lot of them are considered the worst of the worst, the most memorable moments in history or one of the greatest devastations since whenever. I remember what one of my previous teachers told me about life, "When something spectacular happens you'll remember everything. You'll remember everything you were doing at that exact moment in time when your life will be changed forever.." I didn't understand what she meant at the time, I was six, but now I'm starting to understand.... And I don't like it.

I remember when they announced what was going in at Columbine when I was in Junior High. I was sitting in the third row of my science class and attempting to get Skittles down the front of my friend's shirt. I remember hearing about what happened on the radio and then, on the TV. I remember my teacher was talking and all of a sudden the intercom came on and explained the situation. I remember watching one of my best friends go into a panic because her half-brother went there. I remember the pain, the heartfelt silent prayers of my classmates, the look of pain on my teacher's face, and the tears streaming down my best friend's face...I remember it all..

I remember when I found out about the planes that hit the Twin Towers in New York. I remember arguing with my grandma that morning. I remember being kicked out of the car and forced to walk to school even though I lived about 3 miles away from it. I remember being an hour late and no one gave me a hard time about being tardy. I remember walking to GMR and the teacher was telling one of my classmates that his engine block was filthy and needed to be cleaned. I remember the announcement then, too. The principle came on the intercom and said that 2 planes had taken out the Towers. I remember not understanding what was going on and being angry because no one wanted to talk about it. I remember coming home to see my mom sitting on the couch with a glass of scotch and tears in her eyes. She told me she was on a conference call with a business that was in the Towers when the plane hit...No Survivors....I remember it all....

I remember when my school had its first attempted school shooting. I remember being in health class and the intercom blasted "CODE BLUE" and then went silent. I remember the teacher locking the door and asking all of us to get on the floor against the far wall. I remember the lights being turned off and hearing the gunman run down the hallway. I remember hearing the dogs and the police running after him. I remember it all....

I remember sitting at the table when the announcement of how devastating Hurricane Katrina was came on the TV. I was eating a Pop Tart and there it was. I remember my mom calling her cousins to make sure everyone was safe. Two still have not been located...I remember it all...

And now I will remember Virginia Tech. I will remember sitting at my desk and sending emails back and forth to a friend of mine. I'll remember playing the hamster game and my hamster going 245 feet before it crashed into the ground. I'll remember getting back the last email from my friend, "Holy shit - I am going back and forth on the phone with pals in Virginia. Did you see about the shooting at VA Tech? FUCK! My pal Meredith said the kids were locked down around 7:30 or 8 this morning, and then the lock-down was relaxed. That's when the second round took place. WTF? 22 people dead so far, maybe more. worse than Columbine." I'll remember calling my mom and asking her about it. I'll remember the prayer I said...I'll remember it all....

I'm writing this because many think that time heals all wounds. Yes, this is true, but it will never be forgotten. Many think that once the tragedy happens and time lapses people forget. I haven't..I remember it and I always will..And I'll remember all those who are affected and all those who weren't.. I'll remember the tears I shed and pain I felt at the very moment my life changed forever. I'll remember you, even if no one else does. I'll remember..Will you?