Today brings lots of memories for everyone. Each of us knows what we were doing exactly at that time when we first heard about the news. For me, I was sitting in my office (as an Engineering assistant of a job in a previous life). I heard it on my radio and didn't really know how "big" this ordeal was until I watched this tragedy unfold my very eyes on TV when I got home.

Some of the vivid memories were the same video that we see the 2nd plane crashing into the towers. But one of the most startling events I remembered watching on TV was watching Jay Leno - The NBC Late Night Show speaking about this horrific event, then went silent, then bowed his head only to cry. That week, there was no late night comedies. No planes flying in the sky. We were suddenly exposed to a new terrorism that forever changed our lives.

Our nation wept. I cried for days not understanding how could anyone plot such horrific thing to other human beings. I didn't see this as a religious attack, I didn't see this as a political attack. I saw those people who were "left behind" whose lives forever changed because of a few people's agenda.

I continue to weep as I am writing this. It still hurts so much after 8 years.

But, as the positive person that I am, here's what I choose to learn from the lesson:

I saw a new patriotism to the country after 9-11. Our nation finally put down our political indifferences to come together as a nation to heal. That in itself is a positive sign.

The safety of our country has never been this high. Although we constantly gripe at the checkpoints at airports, in the end, it's for our own good. I clearly remember when this happened, I am glad I was on US soil because that's the safest place I know to be. I believe in our military. I believe in the technology our military have. I believe in the men and women who choose this path as a career to keep our nation safe.

I saw many people turn to God when this tragedy strike. First of all, God never let this happen. It is clearly the choices of a select group. But no matter what happened, God can turn anything bad into good. Our incredible God can make this horrible incident work in different ways for different people.

Romans 8:28

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and who have been called according to His purpose.

If you do not know your purpose yet, ask Him and He will direct your steps.

No doubt that it hurts and it hurts for the rest of us who are directly impacted by this tragedy. Looking at this as a horrific thing is also our choice. If we choose to let the sadness overpower us, the enemy has won. I, and others like me choose to view this as a positive thing because my God said He makes all things for His glory.

PS: My brother-in-law just reminded me about how special today was to me when I told him my husband and I just dropped our citizenship application in the mail today. Some 8 years later after such horrific tragedy. Despite what constant arguments and "sides" I hear on the media everyday, I have no doubt in my mind that I WANT TO BE an American. There is something special about being American. There is nothing more privilleged than being American, to hold that passport anywhere in the world, that when tragedy like this strike again and you run to the US embassy with that passport, you know America will protect you.

Such small indifferences about education, about healthcare that we hear on the news this week are so minute in my mind.

Please pray that our citizenship application goes well.