September 11, 2001.Fear, shock, dismay and loss are emotions we all shared on that day in September.But there was also something magical that happened during that time that was unintentional.For a very short time, it seems now, everything froze.Football, baseball, hockey, road rage, the critical business meeting, even Wall Street.All came to a screeching halt.Suddenly our perspectives were shifted into focus as abruptly as those planes severed the towers.All of a sudden.Family, being an American, spirituality became all-important.For a short period of time we defined ourselves as Americans, instead of by our jobs.People actually became aware that there are wonderful, interesting, hurting people all around us, and we all share the common thread of living in and loving America.People stopped in restaurants, lobbies of banks and on the streets to find out what was happening to their neighbors.No longer were we from the North or the South, the coast or flyover country, big city or small town.We were just Americans, from America.We pulled together just like Americans always have.Almost without notice, we have crept back to normal and September 11th occupies less of our conscious time.Beer bottles are thrown at sporting events.Jobs become all-consuming, football is on, so the family may have to wait until after the game.Road rage is back and waves are substituted with middle fingers and fury.We have forgotten who the enemy is and instead take our hurt, resentment and fear out on the wrong people.The same people we stood shoulder to shoulder with on September 11th.Let's not let the unintended gift, the unexpected blessing of that day go to waste.If we do, we desecrate the graves of all the heroes of 911 by neglecting to Love our Neighbors.
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