Sitting on my living room floor,
Playing games with my mother,
When we were interrupted by a call
To turn on the news.
Only being four, I didn’t understand.
I didn’t understand that little kids like me
Lost their parents and grandparents that day.
That normal Tuesday morning
That became a day for the history books.
I understand now what I didn’t understand before.
Hundreds of children had to grow up without a mom or dad,
Having to live knowing that their parent died for no good reason.
They lost part of their family that day,
Just like I lost part of mine eight years later.
I’ll never forget either of those mornings,
When the air was filled with screams
And eyes were filled with tears;
The first time from fear and sorrow for others,
The second out of anger and betrayal for myself.