I was never particularly patriotic.

Til about, oh, ten years ago.

I don't care if it's cliche, and I don't care that I have nothing new or insightful to offer on the subject. I remember.

I was a freshman in high school, in my first period math class.

I had no idea what was going on, or what it meant.

We watched the news in most of my classes that day.

Thinking about what happened still makes me cry.

It didn't matter that what was happening was going on thousands of miles away.

It felt oddly personal, just by being an American.

Reading about the coverage, about the kids growing up who lost parents 10 years ago, about the men and women who worked at Ground Zero on that day and the days and months that followed, who are suffering severe health problems, it makes me sick.

The last 10 years have been hard for our country.

But I am proud to be an American.

I love my country.

this picture gives me hope.