On September 11, 2001, the world as we know it changed.  Forever.  As the country watched in horror the unfolding of events starting early in the morning for those of us on the West Coast, disbelief gave way to a sense that we were not as in control as we had thought, just a day before.  It’s been quite a journey so far.  One that does continue for so many within the families that were personally impacted by the loss of life and as a nation. 

We’ve empathized with the familes as they’ve grieved their loss.  We’ve engaged in dialog and debate over the two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan at great cost, but in some way thought was an appropriate response to the terror thrust upon us.

And on September 11, 2001 life with all of its twists and turns affected some families outside of the events that gripped the nation. Although unaware at the time, our child, away on a school field trip, was the target of bullying with the intention of having him removed from his school.  Two weeks later, that did happen.  As a family, who had put full faith in the system and built our lives around the larger organization that surrounded the school, we were rocked to the core.  And it changed our lives forever too.

My message today, 13 years later then, is one that’s been encouraged by others.  Never Forget … the events and the loss we experienced as a country on 9/11.  Come together as a community and pause on this Day of Remembrance and find a way to serve others.  Since then, an anti-bullying campaign has taken hold as the toll it places on children or adults alike has been better exposed.  It Gets Better but only as we continue to stand against the acceptance of making fun of someone else, or showing cruelty towards another in whatever form it may take.  

So Do Good and Be Kind today, and integrate these simple, but powerful principles into your life going forward, proving that whether it’s an act of terror, or bullying, we will not succumb.  We’ll become stronger, and the world around us will become better.