“Life provides losses and heartbreak for all of us – but the greatest tragedy is to have the experience and miss the meaning.” – Robin Roberts, GMA

I figured this was applicable today being that it is the 11 year anniversary of the attacks on 9/11/2001.  9/11 was the biggest day of loss and heartbreak my generation, and many others, have probably ever felt before. But as with any experience, it is up to all of us to not miss the meaning and lesson that came with such a loss and tragedy. I know what I learned that day, that life is short and precious. That reminding your loved ones how much they mean to you as much as you possible can is necessary. Most of all, I learned from the uniting of the citizens of this country as well as witnessing how other countries around the world united with us, that cooperation and unity is possible. That when we all start to look at one another as PEOPLE, with families and loved ones like the rest of us, things get accomplished and people work together versus against one another. 9/11 meant to me that Democrats and Republicans, Christians and Atheists, Homosexuals and Heterosexuals were all just PEOPLE. People that bleed the same, feel the same pain, love with the same emotion and passion and put their differences aside because they realize how much more we are all truly alike than we are different.

This is the meaning I got from the massive tragedy of 9/11. Our country suffered an indescribable loss, but I think it’s up to all of us to help each other through it and not miss the meaning and lesson it can teach each and every one of us.