Thinking Out Loud

Reflection on September 11, 2001, by Tara McCabe '97

Tara McCabe is a graduate of Holy Cross class of 1997. This reflection was written and posted on Making the Parts Whole a year ago today.

When I was first asked to write a reflection for this website, I was told the theme in church this week would be forgiveness and asked if I could reflect on that as I reflected on my experiences September 11th. I prayed and thought long and hard about it, quickly realizing quickly I faced three challenges.

First, as a New Yorker and as a survivor of September 11th, I recognize what I feel is an unwritten, but very respected rule. We often tend to keep uncharacteristically quiet regarding September 11th because our hearts are forever heavy for the too many around us whose stories are far worse. So I write, and more importantly live, always remembering that, with greatest respect and compassion for all, including the Holy Cross community who lost loved ones and especially our seven fellow alumni who per ished that fateful day.

I then tried to think of ways to sugarcoat my response and somehow be able to connect the words September 11th and forgiveness in the same sentence with sincerity. I came to the conclusion that if asked to rate on a scale of 1-10 where I stand in my mind and heart with forgiveness as relates to September 11th, to respond quite candidly, I would choose words th e terrorists, through their actions, taught me and made common - I'm at about Ground Zero.

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