I was 19. I remember standing in the waiting room of my Dad’s office with him, his staff, and the patients he was supposed to be seeing. We all stood frozen, watching the footage of the planes hitting the towers and the Pentagon.

Sometimes I think of 9/11 was an opportunity for us to step beyond partisanship and the ugliness that comes- and we missed it.

But then sometimes I see something- like driving home today and seeing ten people with huge American flags standing on the bridge. And it makes me think that maybe we have another chance.

Today is a day of respect. Respect for those who lost their lives. Respect for our fellow countrymen. Respect for the fact that those who died should not have their deaths politicized.

So in many ways, it’s an opportunity that continues to allow us the chance to grasp it.