Today.
This is my first time writing a blog post on September 11, and it would feel unnatural to write just another migraine post without addressing it.
September 11 has always been a very special day for me because it’s my dad’s birthday. Eleven years ago, the date of his birthday was forever tarnished. In 2001, my family and I were (naturally) so dumbfounded and stunned by what had happened that we didn’t know if we should celebrate or not. We didn’t know if giving presents and cutting cake were appropriate, or if we could even muster up the enthusiasm to engage in those activities. I remember being so concerned about a potential nuclear World War 3 breaking out that I didn’t want to leave the house.
But we owed it to my dad to celebrate his birthday and to celebrate life in general. We hesitantly went to the Bravo restaurant near my parents house, fully expecting we would be the only ones there. When we walked in, we found that nearly the entire Pittsburgh Steelers football team was sharing a meal together. We were the only two parties in the restaurant. Each of our groups, though vastly different, were similar in that moment in that we were truly enjoying each others’ company and celebrating life on this dreary day.
So today, I want to celebrate life. Of course we will remember the victims and celebrate their lives, though cut entirely too short. I will definitely be celebrating my dad’s life. And I think we, as migraineurs, as chronic pain sufferers, as disabled individuals, should take a moment today to celebrate our lives. All too often I am so caught up in being frustrated with my lot in life that I forget to celebrate the fact that I am even alive. I encourage you to do the same.
Where were you on September 11, 2001? How will you remember the victims today?
