It was odd waking up this morning and not being bombarded by morning shows recounting the events of 11 years ago. Exactly 11 years ago as it was a Tuesday morning.
The moments of silence observed, the gatherings at Ground Zero, Pennsylvania and DC. The sharing of “where were you” and “I remember.” The national collective moment of grief, sadness and unity. Each year we say “Never Forget” and each year, I wonder how we can. There’s reminders everywhere.
Not so in Canada.
Today is just another day on the calendar. Another day at the office. Another day.
Canada is a country still untouched by terrorism. Still untouched by mass tragedy. A country innocent to the naked eye but a keen observer of both its neighbor to the south and the rest of the world.
I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there is something about being in a country yet to be scarred by terrorism. By war. A reminder of what America used to be, and seeing what America is becoming through a different pair of eyes.
So do what you do on this day. Take that moment of silence. Grieve for the ones you’ve lost. Reflect on what has happened, what you are doing and where you are going.
We can’t control the elements, but we can control our reactions. With the passage of time, reflection and understanding, it gets a little easier to do that.
I’m a Canadian who lives in Toronto. This past summer not only did we have a shooting in the Eaton Centre but also at a Block Party in the city’s east end. Both times average people were shot ant what had been considered “safe” places. Yes death affects all of us when we least expect it. I know where I was on Sept 11 and was glued to the TV after.Look around you and be thankful EVERY day for what you have.
trudyvanbuskirk We’re definitely not strangers to shootings in the States. One of the things that struck me while watching the evening news in Canada was the total lack of shootings, and updates on shootings. It gets its own segment in Chicago. And you do make a good point. It is not necessarily the manner in which we experience death, but death itself, the unexpected (or even expected) loss that has an impact. I’m with you on being thankful for each day that I have, and I do my best to let everyone know my appreciation.
It feels a bit unfair to assume just because I live in Canada that I am not scarred by the terrorist attacks that happen. I lost a friend in that tragedy, and I am mourning today in the way I want to.I also feel like throwing hate and anger at the terrorists is a waste of valuable energy and words that could be better used elsewhere. I won’t tell others how to mourn, so I just keep to myself.Again, another perhaps unusual Canadian perspective. YMMV!
HartOSilver Thanks for sharing another Canadian perspective. I’m learning that Americans have quite the myopic mindset, even 11 years later. We forget that more than just Americans were lost.
econwriter5 HartOSilver I can honestly say I never thought about how it may have affected other countries. Especially Canada with it being so close.
sherrierohde econwriter5 HartOSilver A lot more people are traveling these days, and also meeting people they make contact with via the internet. I wracked up $300 to call the man in Denmark who we became friends with while exploring Sorrento, Italy. He took it even harder than I did because he had fallen for her during the trip. The world has become a lot smaller, and connections diverse.
sherrierohde Once you get over the early steps of moving to Canada, and spend two-three solid months in country, you’ll be amazed at what you never thought about before.
econwriter5 Haha, I totally believe that!
I would agree with Scott. Canadians do remember 9/11, *and* we remember it differently. It’s important to remember how close our countries are. The recent Americans in Canada tax kerfuffle quoted that a million Americans live in Canada; and our so called ‘snow birds’ landing in warm US states, are both examples of how transient the populations are between the two countries. Ask a few people… “Do you know someone who has a connection with 9/11?” Canadians have their stories too. I know from asking friends and families… this has been a topic of conversation for many years now. There are lots of Canadian stories, connections & tradgedy.I will definitely agree with your opinion that the US has somehow changed since, though. As a Canadian traveling to the US, the experience has changed. Where we used to go over the border for ‘cheese & dairy’ or cheap gas, and get to know the border guard faces, there’s now a sense of hostility towards ‘foreigners’; and believe me, most Canadians have never felt like REAL foreigners before. But now we definitely do. It’s too bad.My recent trip to DC last year was another example. I did not expect to see soldiers with automatic weapons. I probably should have, but I didn’t. Try visiting any Canadian government building, and take a look at our security. We might have a red velvet rope to stop you from walking onto the parliament floor. 🙂
stevematthews Thanks for the comment. Even as an American traveling in the States, the experience is different. I’ve become so accustomed to it, I assumed that’s how the world travels these days. I was reminded that is not the case the first time I traveled “domestically” in Canada. No TSA. No armed guards. No full body scanner. Just a walk through a medal detector, a smile and wave from one of two security guards.
econwriter5 stevematthews On a semi-related note, it was actually brought to my attention recently that our customs form still asks if you’ve ever been a part of the German Nazi Government. I think that as a whole we need to catch up with the time and learn how to be friendly again.
I would have to disagree with the comment that “Today is just another day on the calendar…”. It is not, we have experienced terrorism in our country, in the late 60’s & early 70’s the FLQ terrorised the province of Quebec with bombings, murders & kidnappings. Many communities, especially here on the East Coast were touched by the events of 9/11. Halifax International Airport and other airports on the east coast were places of refuge for 1000’s of stranded American travellers when flights were grounded. Many of these people were welcomed into our homes, offered shelter & the horror of those events shared. Canadian first reponders volunteered their time to assist in the recovery efforts.As a former firefighter, I broke down & cried when I heard the numbers of first responders lost when the towers collapsed. To this day I remember where I was, what I was doing and the people I had around me on 9/11.Canadian’s do remember the events of 11 years ago. We just remember differently, Canadian’s are a reserved people, we choose to do this quieter with less fanfare. Just one Canadian’s perspective.Scott
scottnobleNS Thanks for the comment. I appreciate a Canadian perspective, and a reminder that there were spots of kindness. And I have to agree that you are a more reserved people. As an American, at times I have a hard time with that, and other times I find it comforting.
econwriter5 scottnobleNS I wonder how much it has to do with location, too. Was just talking to kellensteffen about this and there was quite a bit of awareness and things described by Scott in Ontario. Vancouver is pretty far away from NYC. It makes me curious how connected the West Coast in the States was connected.
sherrierohde econwriter5 scottnobleNS kellensteffen That’s a really good point. Might depend on how many people you knew on the East Coast. Both of my brothers lived in Manhattan at the time, and I was in the Midwest. Rather interesting how geographic distance plays a role in such experiences, no?
econwriter5 scottnobleNS kellensteffen Super interesting. I’ve lived in a 30 mile radius (minus University) my whole life, so it’s hard to remember there’s even a US perspective outside of the MidWest. Thank God for having so many international friends to keep me in check!
sherrierohde econwriter5 scottnobleNS kellensteffen I believe location has something to do with it. There are a lot of strong ties between New England & Atlantic Canada. Boston was the first major city to send aid to Halifax after the Halifax Explosion in 1917. The province of Nova Scotia sends a hand selected Christmas tree to Boston now each year in remembrance of that aid. I think that if one digs deeper into our roots, especially here on the east coast, the bonds between the people of our countries are stronger than the media lets on.
Wow, that would be odd to experience. I guess I’ll see for myself next year. I think even here it’s beginning to fade a bit, which is crazy but as you said, the pain eases. It’d be interesting to be in NYC on 9/11. I still remember exactly where I was when I found out and what I did pretty much all day long.
sherrierohde Yeah, it was odd. And I’d agree it’s beginning to fade a little in the States. Last year was a big year since it was the 10 year anniversary. Like your 10 year high school reunion, it’s often a turning point. I also remember exactly where I was, what I was doing and the surreal experience of knowing, and going to class where no one else was aware yet.
Wow, that would be odd to experience. I guess I’ll see for myself next year. I think even hear it’s beginning to fade a bit, which is crazy but as you said, the pain eases. It’d be interesting to be in NYC on 9/11. I still remember exactly where I was when I found out and what I did pretty much all day long.