Most of the people I encounter every day are 12 years old, and therefore have only a vague idea of what “September 11” means. That day in 2001 we were calling it “Attack on America” and we probably should have stuck with that. Just the date kind of masks what really happened.

Twenty-two years later I look back and think, well, at least it wasn’t worse. Crazy as it sounds, it could have been worse. In retrospect I got off easy. Many people lost their lives that day and many more lost loved ones. So I have to wait in line at the airport a little longer these days? I can imagine worse.

Most of all I think back and say, Thank God that didn’t turn into World War III. The previous time there was such a catastrophic event (Pearl Harbor) it led to four years of world conflict. I tip my cap to those fighting overseas the past 20-plus years, I suppose keeping hostilities from escalating and coming to our shores.

As I often find myself saying… I’m lucky.