September 12, 2012, New York City, New York~

My name is Stefan Franklin Jefferson.  I am ten years old; turned ten years old yesterday.  I live in New York City, New York, with my parents and little sister, Jelisha Aurora, who is almost two years old.  I am in the fifth grade at PS 121; my teacher's name is Mrs. Johnson.

Even though it was my tenth birthday yesterday, it was a day marked with sadness.  For you see, 11 years ago, the year before I was born, New York City and Washington DC were attacked by terrorists.  Nearly 3,000 people died (mostly in the World Trade Center Towers, but some died in the Pentagon, which was also attacked, and more died in a plane that crashed into a field in Pennsylvania).  Yesterday we all went to the memorial and it was a very somber, sad event.

Mama cried like there was no tomorrow; all Dad could do was hold her in her arms; but he was crying too.  I could see the tears on his face.  I didn't cry (I was brave), but I felt bad for the people who died, even though I didn't know them.  Mama nearly died in the attacks herself but her life was saved because at the time the tower was hit, she happened to be on break from work and was across the way with a fellow co-worker; they were getting soemthing to eat.  But she was still hurt from flying debris and ended up losing her leg when an infection set in.  She was in the hospital for months after that.

I have seen videos and pictures of the attacks that happened on September 11, 2001, and it makes me sad most of all, but it also makes me very angry inside.  It was because of 9/11/01 that my Mama was hurt and ended up losing her leg.  I see the pain in her eyes and on her face and I also feel hatred toward those who attacked America.  Why did they do it and who exactly were (are) these people??  

I'll never understand it!

NEVER!

I wish we could skip September 11, 2001 (the REAL reason anyway) and just celebrate my birthday.  I hate the fact that on MY birthday people are sad or crying!  My birthday should be full of cake, presents, and suprises, NOT sadness, tears, or bad memories!!

Well, I have to go.  I am crying again.  Darn it, why did Septmber 11, 2001 have to happen??  I HATE September 11, 2001!! JUST  HATE IT!!

~Stefan.  :(