An Open Letter to France from an American College Student

Dear France,

I would like to start by expressing my feelings of deep empathy with you. I know this tragedy is hard right now, but believe me when I say there is hope. When I was in second grade my country was attacked. We now know this day as September 11, 2001, the day America realized just how quickly a happy narrative can change, and that time truly can stand still. When the tragedy occurred on 9/11 I knew very little of what was going on. I cannot recall a whole lot from when I was that age, but that particular day will always be engrained in my memory. I remember the faces, the tears, and the numbness that lingered in our communities for quite some time. Fourteen years later, and I can still remember that day vividly.

I am writing this open letter to you with hopes that you will be able to overcome this tragedy like America overcame ours. Please do not mistake overcome with forget. I hope you never forget the emotions you felt that day, and always remember the ones who lost their lives. Every year on 9/11 in America, communities will have a moment of silence in most public settings, T.V. channels recall the tragedy throughout the day, and social media appreciation post are endless. I think what many of us realized that day is that life can take a turn for the worst at any moment. We realized just how lucky we are to wake up every day with the ability to make choices. Choices about how to live, and what we want our lives to be made up of.

I think it is easy to feel sorry for yourself, and the country you live in when tragedy strikes, but in order to overcome incidents like these we have to respond together. I have never seen more beautiful sites than when the media covered our firefighters, police officers, doctors, paramedics, and civilians working as one. Nothing mattered at this point in time, race, religion, age, social status, none of it mattered. We were all united as one. I believe this was one of the most horrific, yet inspiring things I will ever witness in my lifetime.

I get goosebumps when I think of what a nation can accomplish in response to tragedy. As humans we have the ability to empathize with one another. We know what it is like to have something we love taken from us, and when we see others go through this we almost automatically feel what they are going through on some level. This ability to empathize is what makes the human race so unique. I remember seeing post from France reaching out to America in our time of need expressing empathy for our country. To me that is remarkable, the fact a completely separate country thousands of miles away can see tragedy, and respond to those affected purely out of empathy. I want to wrap this up with a quote that speaks so loud to me when reflecting on these tragedies before us.

“It is only in our darkest hours that we may discover the true strength of the brilliant light within ourselves that can never, ever, be dimmed.” –Doe Zantamata

I feel there is much truth behind this quote. As humans we can become so entranced in our daily lives, and forget to appreciate the people in them, and how fortunate we are to be able to live and love. France, you are not alone, and you never have been. There will be another day, and several others after that. I speak on behalf of myself, and many Americans when I say this tragedy will pass. Pass in the sense that you will progress with your daily lives. You will never forget the emotions you felt that day you were attacked, but let them be a daily reminder to you about just how fortunate we are to still be alive. Most importantly never forget those who suffered. Reach out to anyone you can, and help in any way possible. America will stand with you, and see you regain the peace of mind you once had, and thrive as a nation like never before.

Sincerely,

American College Student