I’m sure I’m not alone in where my mind wanders on this 11th day of September. Since 2001, on every 9/11, I find myself mentally retracing my steps from that day: what I heard and when, what I saw, who I was with and where, how I felt and why. I revisit the shocking images and feelings of vulnerability for just a little while. It seems the least I can do to remember all those families who lost loved ones and honor the day’s many heroes.

Yet, I’ve never been able to bring myself to visit Ground Zero. I have not attended any of the memorial walks that take place in DC and New York. When we visited the Newseum last month, I had to walk away from the exhibit dedicated to 9/11. The rush of emotion was too strong for me to handle at that moment. Still, I long for a way to remember the feeling of solidarity and connectedness that emerged from the horrors of that day, apart from my own private reflections.

This year, I found a way.

Please read the post Of Mike and Firemen over at ThePioneerWoman. com. It has nothing to do with 9/11, yet everything to do with 9/11. This heart-warming and well-written piece is a tribute to the camaraderie and compassion among firemen. It’s … well, it’s just really special. And a beautiful way to remember the human bond that connects us all. THOSE are the feelings and memories I want to hold tightly to my chest on this 9/11.

Tell us what you think of the post. And let us know, seven years later, where are you at with post-9/11 reflections?