Every year on this date, there is a piece of me that’s still 18, and getting ready for her first university history class at Laurier Brantford. I’ll still remember watching it unfold live on Regis and Kelly. And then the buzz around the residence, when I got home after class.

I remember that night, walking around downtown Brantford, the eeriest hush came over the place. Almost as if everyone, and everything held the collective breath in shock over what happened, and anxious about what would come next. The sounds, and images of that day have taken on the fuzzy hue memories do as you get older. But every year I look back on this day, and like a finger snap all the feelings of shock and horror are there.

Turning forty has put it in perspective. My generation knew the world at its most prosperous, and peaceful. 9/11 shattered the tranquility, and it has never been the same since. There is now a line between the before, and after.

Although we don’t mark it anymore, the way we used to, the feelings will always be there.