It's hard to believe that it's been seven years since our world was rocked by terrorism.

 I'm sure we all remember very precisely where we were when we saw or heard about the planes hitting the Twin Towers.  I remember it being a beautiful, cloudless early fall day in Illinois.   Even later that day, as I stood with other parents after school trying to process the events, I had a hard time believing such horror could occur on such a gorgeous day.

 In time, we've moved forward.  Not forgetting, but able to look ahead.  But occasionally, we still need to look back.

 In addition to the many lives that were taken, that day took away innocence.  Even now, as I drive my kids to their different schools,  I think about how to reach them quickly in an emergency.  When we go to the mall, I think about the closest exits.  When the emergency alert signal comes on the radio, I hold my breath until the announcer says "This is a test."

My kids are affected too.  They've grown up in the "New Normal."  My oldest was 9 that September, and for months afterward he would not get on an elevator because he envisioned what it must have been like for people on the elevators in the World Trade Center when the planes struck.

They know, unfortunately, that I cannot guarantee complete protection.  That probably bothers me more than it bothers them.

 One thing that I am glad to remember from that fateful day--how clearly I saw the importance of being with family and people we loved.  How lucky I was to have the chance to be with them again on September 12th.

 So this September 11th, we'll take the time to reflect on all that we have lost.  And then we'll gather ourselves up, take a deep breath, and move forward to the next day.