Our youngest was only about 5 months old and I was up tending to him, my husband was sleeping as he was on 2nd shift back then, just a typical day really. I flipped on the television and watched as we all did with growing horror, incredible sadness and shock at the events unfolding on that tv screen.

I remember screaming to Mike to wake up and running to grab up the baby into my arms. I just needed in some deep instinctual way to have my baby safe in my arms. My thoughts raced to my older kids in school and to all those other children that had just lost a parent in the horror of those buildings coming down.

I'm a Canadian by birth, married to an American. My heart hurt so much for the citizens of my new country but also swelled with such pride at the actions of the country of my birth. That awful day, without question for the safety of it's own citizens and it's airspace, Canada took in well over 200 flights that had been destined for American airports - any of which could have been carrying more terrorists. I am still proud of that to this day and so proud of my new American "family" that came together in their shock and grief to support those more directly affected by this evil moment in history.

Recently Mike and I were watching some old episodes of NYPD Blue. Even after all these years, seeing a shot of the towers in the background, makes the hair stand up on my arms.