We didn't note the anniversary of 9/11 on the last episode.  That was a conscious decision on my part.  I just didn't know how to approach the subject without it bringing down the whole show and I want the show to be a place where one comes to have fun.  We need that.  After everything I've been through this past year, I need that.

But I do feel that there needs to be something said or noted on the passing of this anniversary.  It is important that we never forget.  Recently, there was a report on the news that said that the average American thinks about 9/11 twice or three times a week.  These days, I find it a little hard to believe.  I know the media makes every effort not to let us forget, but when I see the way people in our society behave, I have to wonder.

I remember that morning vividly.  I'd only been living in our newly purchased home nine months.  Eddie, my son, was only five months old.  Sue was working in the city at the time for a public relations firm whose offices were close to the Empire State Building.

I was on my way to the first day of training for management with Uno Chicago Bar and Grill.  The training facility was less than twenty minutes away from my house.  It was a gorgeous morning and I was looking forward to getting my hands dirty in the kitchen as the managers had to know how to prepare all the items on the menu.  I was driving in my new car, listening and singing (yes, said, I know) to Sheryl Crow.  This was the start of something great.

I arrived at 6:30, had a cup of coffee, and was given my first tasks by Matty C., the manager of the Unos in the Danbury Mall.  I had to prepare the various salad items for the salad station.

I can still see the red peppers I was cutting when Matty leaned out the door of his office and called to me, "Hey, Johnny, a plane just hit the World Trade Center."  At the time, I didn't think much of it.  Since he didn't seem so anxious, I imagined it was some idiot in a small plane who flew off course.  I continuted my world.

A short time later, Matty poked his head out again.  "Johnny, a second plane just hit the tower."  Now this is weird.  I wipe my hands and walk to the office.

There, on this small 13 inch television I see the replay of the second plane hit.  Matty and I don't say anything else, but we know this isn't an accident or a coincidence.

The kitchen staff don't all speak English and I try my best with my knowledge of Spanish taught three years straight by my Spanish teacher, Ms. Mazzo, to explain the situation.

Matty soon sends the staff back out to continue preparation from the day, but he tells me not to worry as he know I'm trying to reach Sue and my mother-in law, who was minding Eddie.  The phone lines and cell signals are all screwed up and I can't through.

I want to go.  I want to go into Manhattan and look for Sue.  Matty, though it seemed cold at the time, said to me, "Johnny, you walk out that door and they won't take you back.  You're never going to make it into the city now as everyone is trying to escape.  Say the worst happens with your wife, you'll have to take care of that mortgage and a baby on your own.  Life still has to go on and it will tomorrow and the day after."

I spent the rest of the day, sitting in the bar area watching the events unfold.  I did eventually reach Sue and my mother-in-law.  The mall was closed at six that day.  Sue made it home just after midnight.

As I pulled into the driveway after picking Eddie up, my neighbors were sitting outside their house.  I'd never seen them do that before.  One of them said, "It's going to be a different world after this."

And it was.  We're more cautious.  We're more paranoid.  And despite the feelings engendered by the events that day, I feel that there are many who tend to forget what it really meant.

I haven't.  I never will.

God bless those who lost loved ones in the initial attack and those who lost people who died from health related concerns during rescue efforts.  We always talk about the death toll from 9/11, but those who passed after should be included.