Today we remember September 11, 2001. Everyone of a certain age remembers where they were when they heard news of the twin towers. Just like our parents before us when John F. Kennedy was shot in 1963, and their parents before them, when Pearl Harbor was bombed in  1941. September 11, 2001, or 9/11 as we have dubbed it, is our generation’s catastrophic event. Like those catastrophic events before, it changed everything in our lives. Forever.

After the initial shock of realizing that the United States had been the target of a terrorist attack of gigantic proportions, the events of 9/11 brought home a few other realizations unlike any other event I have experienced.  After we saw the brutality of what evil is capable of, we witnessed the flood of kindness that goodness does – even in the face of, and perhaps especially in the face of, evil. We saw a group of heroic passengers take the reins of United Flight 93 with the battle cry of “Let’s roll” and save thousands of souls and defense systems at the Pentagon – at the expense of their own lives. We watched as first responders ran into burning buildings to rescue survivors – and thousands of their brothers and sisters drive from all over the country to help. We witnessed people care for complete strangers.  Doctors and nurses treated the wounded round the clock. The pictures here are photos of love in action.

Not knowing what else to do, the rest of America huddled in living rooms to be with our children and gathered in churches. We called those we knew who had ties to New York to check in on them. We sent money and supplies. And, in those days and months in the aftermath, we were all a little bit kinder and gentler – knowing that life can change at any moment.  Instead of signing business emails “regards,” we said “God bless. Be safe.” We called family and friends just to say “I love you.” We hugged our kids and loved ones a little longer – a little tighter.  And we prayed.

For me, 9/11 solidified the fact that we continue to be in an epic battleground of good v evil that has been going on since Adam and Eve.  Nearly every movie on the big screen depicts it in some way. It’s been called The Force vs. The Dark Side, Aslan vs. the White Witch, Harry Potter vs. Voldemort, love vs. hate, and God vs. Satan just to name a few. But in the movies, just like in real life, good wins in the end, because love in action is still the most powerful force in the universe. And when hate deals a blow, the full force of love is activated. The kindness of truly good people overwhelms and conquers evil.

The great parliamentarian Edmund Burke once said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” Evil didn’t triumph on September 11. To be sure, it dealt a blow. But it didn’t triumph. Goodness did. Because good men and women put love into action. The light within them shone bright and pushed back the darkness.

On this side of heaven, there will always be evil. But what September 11 and the ensuing 25 years has taught me, is that there is a whole lot more good in the world. The divine shines through mere mortals.

Be the light.

For that is our only hope against darkness.

With truth and love, Charlene