Anniversaries

I blankly stared at the TV. The news was streaming; it showed coverage of the tenth anniversary of the Twin Tower incident.

I was only five when it happened. My memories from the day are faint, but I remembered the teachers had turned on the TV in the classroom all of the sudden. They were watching a tall building with huge billows of smoke coming from it on the picture screen. I didn't learn of what had happened until I was in around third grade.

Now, it's been ten years. To be honest, I don't feel extreme sorrow or sympathy, probably because I wasn't there to experience it at ground zero or known anyone that was caught in it. I think other people feel this way too.

But even so, I can't help but to have a gut-wenching feeling about today. Was it the long gone connection of New York, my birth state? Or was it my sensitive heart of adapting to the mood and atmosphere? I don't know.

What I do know was that countless people were injured and had lost their lives. Countless people acted together to work miracles for the people who were still fortunate. Countless people are holding their heads high today, this day when many faced dilemma, and commemorating both the brave, the dead, the veterans, the victims.

America, although I look down on you for your fast food chains and ridiculous gas prices, today my heart is with you and all of your citizens.

Today, even though it's an anniversary, is still a new day. A new day means new beginnings. We just need to keep our heads high, like every day, and say "We went through this but we're still standing strong."

I shut off the TV and glanced at the calendar. Not only was it the anniversary for the 9/11 incident but it has been five months since the Japan earthquake incident.

I was affected by that personally. My family lived in the area that was hit. With the lack of communication, I was gravely worried and even ended up crying at school one morning. I haven't heard much lately but I'm sure everyone's pulling through.

The feelings for both of these anniversaries are leaving me dazed and distracted, but I know, like everyone else, are continuing to pull through. I guess I could say I both know and not know how it feels to be deeply affected by such tragedies.

I sighed and stepped outside. I went up to two friends sitting side by side, who were gazing at the night sky in reflective silence. Before they could turn around from my presence, I embraced the burger loving American and the quiet humble Japanese from behind.

"God Bless the USA...Gambare Nipon..."

Alfred gave a muffled sob as he covered his face while Kiku patted his back in comfort, and my heart wept silently, along with many others of this grand nation.

-MiracleHeart


A/N: I know a lot of people are doing oneshots about this but I felt like I should contribute something to it as well. It's more like how I feel personally so I apologize for any offenses or inconsiderate thoughts. What I said are true, my heart is hurting right now. Just for this day, I'm going to say my heart lies in New York, where I was born and in Japan, where my parents were from.

Rock on America and Japan, Keep Holding On.