I find it difficult to believe that it has been an entire year since the horrific attacks on America that consumed nearly 3,000 lives last Sept. 11. On that terrible Tuesday citizens watched awestruck as a total of four planes crashed into the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvanian field. No one ever imagined such a catastrophe. Images of the second plane crashing into the towers and people falling out the windows that we viewed on the news are forever imprinted in our minds.

Surely people are becoming tired of hearing about this event over and over again. Everyone has a story to tell about how they were affected by the tragedy. My advice to those people is get over it.

Quite honestly, millions are still trying to get over the events and radical changes that occurred in their lives last September. These people have been attempting to go on about their lives despite losing friends and laying their loved ones to rest. Anxiety attacks, depression and even post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are only a few of the things members of our country are trying to “get over,” especially in New York City. Two months after the attacks researchers discovered that PTSD and depression rates in Manhattan were nearly double that of the national average.

I feel fortunate that I am lucky enough to not be a person trying to get over the death and devastation that took us all by surprise. I know people who had friends among the 3,000 taken, but directly I knew no one. Instead I have just been trying to get on with life.

I remember at first that notion was not as easy as it sounds. I interviewed students on the day of the attacks and found myself facing a vast array of reactions. I consoled some while I listened to others vent their anger. I recall one girl telling me how glad she was that Americans were turning to God and praying in light of the aggression the terrorists took out on civilians. That night, laying in our dorm room, my roommate and I swore we heard airplane noises. We were actually frightened by this considering all planes were supposed to be grounded. In all likelihood it was only the train, but our nerves were so shot we could not tell the difference. It was difficult to sleep at all that night.

With some of my friends, I attended the candlelight vigils and other campus talks on the matter. For me, at this point, the healing process moved rapidly. Unlike much of the nation I felt I was able to get on with my life rather quickly.

When I look back over the last year I have some interesting revelations. It began with a ghastly event that in one day claimed more civilian lives than any other day in American history. Like Pearl Harbor it cannot be forgotten.

It was an unimaginable way to begin college. But being my first year away from home, things were bound to change drastically. I can honestly say that of the years of my life I can remember, this is the best so far. Hard to believe looking at how it started.

Over the last 365 days so many different things have happened to me. Finally I got out of my hometown where I already knew everyone and got to meet new people. The friends I have made will last me a lifetime. Also I was able to live and survive on my own. As much as I love my parents, the feeling of independence you achieve when you can support yourself is priceless. Another first was I actually fell in love with someone. Those who know me well may think that is crazy but they also know it is true. Despite the fact that the love I found only lasted a few short months I am excited to have even felt such a way. Something about it makes me feel like a more complete person, more free to get out there and try it again one day.

Being free is definitely something this entire nation cherished. We feel it is our unalienable right to not be oppressed or held down. In a way terrorists tried to take that from us last Sept. 11.

To me, the quote from the movie Braveheart seems very fitting of the spirit of Americans: “They may take our lives, but they will never take our freedom.” Times may seem tough right now, with our teetering economy and possibility of war with Iraq, but that quote still stays true. For us life goes on and so does America. We just have to take it one year at a time, one day at a time. I am certainly looking forward to the amazing things that may occur in the next 12 months.

Ayrel

Clark

is a sophomore in journalism

and mass communication from Johnston. She is a member of the Daily’s

editorial board.