9/11 - Ten Years Later

One album that I always listen to this time of year is "All That You Can't Leave Behind" by U2. It helps me cope with the whole "9/11" experience. The album came out almost a full year before 9/11, and yet, it has more meaning after 9/11, than any I can think of.

Pretty much, all the songs on this album speak to me. Beautiful Day reminds me of that Tuesday morning in New York, before the planes struck and our lives were changed forever. Everyone who worked or lived in NYC or DC, remembers the beauty of that morning, the calm before the storm. There's a song like "Walk On" that speaks to me on so many levels, on not forgetting the past, but also moving on with our lives.

Ironically enough, there are other titles on the album that have an eerie significance, like: "New York" or "Peace on Earth". Keep in mind, this came out a year before the chaos. But one song that has stuck out with me, all these years, is "Stuck in a Moment". This song speaks to me so deeply because for the days, months, and years after, I held on to the grief of that day, but, I know, now, those who have fallen, if they can trade one day with us, would they spend that day in grief, or in celebration of life?

I think, as we look back to that awful day, let's not forget the sacrifices that were made, but let's also, not forget the lives they lived before that day, or their spirits that live on to this day. Don't let one moment make or break the lives we hold so precious. And I'm not just talking about our loved ones, I'm talking about you, too. And U2.

http://allmusic.com/album/all-that-you-cant-leave-behind-r503435/review