I am 12 1/2 years old, and I am writing to you as my way of remembering what happened today.
My name is Barbara; and I live in Nashville, Tennessee, with my maman, daddy, and all of my adopted brothers and sisters.
I am in 7th grade (barely; school just started last week here in Nashville). I go to Donelson Junior High, and my teacher's name is Mr. Pratt.
I was waiting for the bus when I watched the news. What I saw was altogether horrifying. The planes running into first one tower and then the other, and the shock at seeing the explosions and the black, acrid smoke pouring from your sides. And then seeing the people leaping OUT OF THE BURNING TOWERS and then seeing the towers rock and then fall made me want to vomit (in which I did; I ended up staying home today). I still feel physically sick as I write this letter of sorrow to you.
I got the idea to write to you from my little brother and sister, Johnny and Ronee', who are both 8 1/2 years old. Before school was cancelled for the day their teachers had them write a letter TO the World Trade Centers, expressing their shock and horror and as a way of having them deal with the tragedy at hand, a tragedy that DIDN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN. Those jerks. Those God-damn jerks. (I am a Christian, but the anger I am feeling right now is very real, and it's eating me alive; otherwise, I wouldn't be cussing; besides, mommy and daddy would BOTH have my hide if they see this letter!!) But--I CAN'T HATE or say anything bad about MOST Muslims because, as far as I know, MOST Muslims AREN'T violent, hate-filled people (at least, the Muslims I know!); they are AGAINST violence of ANY kind. Just the extreme Muslims; but when one hears the word "Muslims" they automatically think "terrorists". But, as a rule, I CAN'T HATE Muslims just because of a few bad eggs who want to wreck it for everybody. Besides, my one younger sister, Deborah Bapsi Suzanne Joy, is a former Muslim. She was born in Tehran, Iran, but we adopted her into our family 3 years ago. She is now an American Muslim-turned-Christian. I often wonder what MUST be going through her young mind, or whether kids or other people will try to physically harm her because of what she is--or USED to be. I especially worry about her because she is seriously handicapped (she was born without arms and hands and had also been born with spina bifida that left her lower half paralyzed) and she can't physically defend herself. (She controls her wheelchair by means of a switch she pushes with her chin.)
I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to see you two months ago today, and your beauty and height was absolutely AWESOME. Your incredible height and beauty was something to be admired by all who saw you, whether on a daily basis or when in New York City. I know I will NEVER FORGET you--or those that died--as long as I live!
I must go now--have to get ready to go to church. I'll be sure to say a prayer for America, her people, her safety, and even one for you, even though you are now gone.
Besides, my eyes are beginning to fill up again with tears that are threatening to spill over at any moment--
